Digital image capture and processing system employing a linear LED-based illumination array mounted behind an illumination-focusing lens component integrated within the imaging window of the system

ABSTRACT

A digital image capture and processing system capable of illuminating the entire field of view (FOV) of the system using a linear LED-based illumination array. The system includes a housing having an imaging window with a refractive-type illumination-focusing lens component integrated therewithin. The area-type image formation and detection subsystem, also disposed in the housing, has image formation optics for projecting a field of view (FOV) through the imaging window and onto an area-type image detection array, for forming and detecting 2D digital images of an object in the FOV, during object illumination and imaging operations. The linear LED-based illumination array is disposed immediately behind the refractive-type illumination-focusing lens component, for producing a field of wide-area illumination illuminating substantially the entire FOV over the working distance of the system. During object illumination and imaging operations, the illumination reflects off an object within the FOV and is transmitted back through the imaging window and onto the area-type image detection array to form one or more 2D digital images of the object.

RELATED CASES

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BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to area-type digital image capture andprocessing systems having diverse modes of digital image processing forreading one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) bar code symbols,as well as other forms of graphically-encoded intelligence, employingadvances methods of automatic illumination and imaging to meet demandingend-user application requirements.

2. Brief Description of the State of the Art

The state of the automatic-identification industry can be understood interms of (i) the different classes of bar code symbologies that havebeen developed and adopted by the industry, and (ii) the kinds ofapparatus developed and used to read such bar code symbologies invarious user environments.

In general, there are currently three major classes of bar codesymbologies, namely: one dimensional (1D) bar code symbologies, such asUPC/EAN, Code 39, etc.; 1D stacked bar code symbologies, Code 49,PDF417, etc.; and two-dimensional (2D) data matrix symbologies.

One-dimensional (1D) optical bar code readers are well known in the art.Examples of such readers include readers of the Metrologic Voyager®Series Laser Scanner manufactured by Metrologic Instruments, Inc. Suchreaders include processing circuits that are able to read onedimensional (1D) linear bar code symbologies, such as the UPC/EAN code,Code 39, etc., that are widely used in supermarkets. Such 1D linearsymbologies are characterized by data that is encoded along a singleaxis, in the widths of bars and spaces, so that such symbols can be readfrom a single scan along that axis, provided that the symbol is imagedwith a sufficiently high resolution along that axis.

In order to allow the encoding of larger amounts of data in a single barcode symbol, a number of 1D stacked bar code symbologies have beendeveloped, including Code 49, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,794,239(Allais), and PDF417, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,340,786 (Pavlidis,et al.). Stacked symbols partition the encoded data into multiple rows,each including a respective 1D bar code pattern, all or most of all ofwhich must be scanned and decoded, then linked together to form acomplete message. Scanning still requires relatively high resolution inone dimension only, but multiple linear scans are needed to read thewhole symbol.

The third class of bar code symbologies, known as 2D matrix symbologiesoffer orientation-free scanning and greater data densities andcapacities than their 1D counterparts. In 2D matrix codes, data isencoded as dark or light data elements within a regular polygonalmatrix, accompanied by graphical finder, orientation and referencestructures. When scanning 2D matrix codes, the horizontal and verticalrelationships of the data elements are recorded with about equalresolution.

In order to avoid having to use different types of optical readers toread these different types of bar code symbols, it is desirable to havean optical reader that is able to read symbols of any of these types,including their various subtypes, interchangeably and automatically.More particularly, it is desirable to have an optical reader that isable to read all three of the above-mentioned types of bar code symbols,without human intervention, i.e., automatically. This is turn, requiresthat the reader have the ability to automatically discriminate betweenand decode bar code symbols, based only on information read from thesymbol itself. Readers that have this ability are referred to as“auto-discriminating” or having an “auto-discrimination” capability.

If an auto-discriminating reader is able to read only 1D bar codesymbols (including their various subtypes), it may be said to have a 1Dauto-discrimination capability. Similarly, if it is able to read only 2Dbar code symbols, it may be said to have a 2D auto-discriminationcapability. If it is able to read both 1D and 2D bar code symbolsinterchangeably, it may be said to have a 1D/2D auto-discriminationcapability. Often, however, a reader is said to have a 1D/2Dauto-discrimination capability even if it is unable to discriminatebetween and decode 1D stacked bar code symbols.

Optical readers that are capable of 1D auto-discrimination are wellknown in the art. An early example of such a reader is Metrologic'sVoyagerCG® Laser Scanner, manufactured by Metrologic Instruments, Inc.

Optical readers, particularly hand held optical readers, that arecapable of 1D/2D auto-discrimination and based on the use of anasynchronously moving 1D image sensor, are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,288,985 and 5,354,977, which applications are hereby expresslyincorporated herein by reference. Other examples of hand held readers ofthis type, based on the use of a stationary 2D image sensor, aredescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,250,551; 5,932,862; 5,932,741; 5,942,741;5,929,418; 5,914,476; 5,831,254; 5,825,006; 5,784,102, which are alsohereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.

Optical readers, whether of the stationary or movable type, usuallyoperate at a fixed scanning rate, which means that the readers aredesigned to complete some fixed number of scans during a given amount oftime. This scanning rate generally has a value that is between 30 and200 scans/sec for 1D readers. In such readers, the results thesuccessive scans are decoded in the order of their occurrence.

Imaging-based bar code symbol readers have a number advantages overlaser scanning based bar code symbol readers, namely: they are morecapable of reading stacked 2D symbologies, such as the PDF 417symbology; more capable of reading matrix 2D symbologies, such as theData Matrix symbology; more capable of reading bar codes regardless oftheir orientation; have lower manufacturing costs; and have thepotential for use in other applications, which may or may not be relatedto bar code scanning, such as OCR, security systems, etc

Prior art digital image capture and processing systems suffer from anumber of additional shortcomings and drawbacks.

Most prior art hand held optical reading devices can be reprogrammed byreading bar codes from a bar code programming menu or with use of alocal host processor as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,929,418. However,these devices are generally constrained to operate within the modes inwhich they have been programmed to operate, either in the field or onthe bench, before deployment to end-user application environments.Consequently, the statically-configured nature of such prior artimaging-based bar code reading systems has limited their performance.

Prior art digital image capture and processing systems with integratedillumination subsystems also support a relatively short range of theoptical depth of field. This limits the capabilities of such systemsfrom reading big or highly dense bar code labels.

Prior art digital image capture and processing systems generally requireseparate apparatus for producing a visible aiming beam to help the userto aim the camera's field of view at the bar code label on a particulartarget object.

Prior art digital image capture and processing systems generally requirecapturing multiple frames of image data of a bar code symbol, andspecial apparatus for synchronizing the decoding process with the imagecapture process within such readers, as required in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,932,862 and 5,942,741 assigned to Welch Allyn, Inc.

Prior art digital image capture and processing systems generally requirelarge arrays of LEDs in order to flood the field of view within which abar code symbol might reside during image capture operations, oftentimeswasting largest amounts of electrical power which can be significant inportable or mobile imaging-based readers.

Prior art digital image capture and processing systems generally requireprocessing the entire pixel data set of capture images to find anddecode bar code symbols represented therein. On the other hand, someprior art imaging systems use the inherent programmable (pixel)windowing feature within conventional CMOS image sensors to capture onlypartial image frames to reduce pixel data set processing and enjoyimprovements in image processing speed and thus imaging systemperformance.

Many prior art digital image capture and processing systems also requirethe use of decoding algorithms that seek to find the orientation of barcode elements in a captured image by finding and analyzing the codewords of 2-D bar code symbologies represented therein.

Some prior art digital image capture and processing systems generallyrequire the use of a manually-actuated trigger to actuate the imagecapture and processing cycle thereof.

Prior art digital image capture and processing systems generally requireseparate sources of illumination for producing visible aiming beams andfor producing visible illumination beams used to flood the field of viewof the bar code reader.

Prior art digital image capture and processing systems generally utilizeduring a single image capture and processing cycle, and a singledecoding methodology for decoding bar code symbols represented incaptured images.

Some prior art digital image capture and processing systems requireexposure control circuitry integrated with the image detection array formeasuring the light exposure levels on selected portions thereof.

Also, many imaging-based readers also require processing portions ofcaptured images to detect the image intensities thereof and determinethe reflected light levels at the image detection component of thesystem, and thereafter to control the LED-based illumination sources toachieve the desired image exposure levels at the image detector.

Prior art digital image capture and processing systems employingintegrated illumination mechanisms control image brightness and contrastby controlling the time that the image sensing device is exposed to thelight reflected from the imaged objects. While this method has beenproven for the CCD-based bar code scanners, it is not suitable, however,for the CMOS-based image sensing devices, which require a moresophisticated shuttering mechanism, leading to increased complexity,less reliability and, ultimately, more expensive bar code scanningsystems.

Prior art digital image capture and processing systems generally requirethe use of tables and bar code menus to manage which decoding algorithmsare to be used within any particular mode of system operation to beprogrammed by reading bar code symbols from a bar code menu.

Also, due to the complexity of the hardware platforms of such prior artdigital image capture and processing systems, end-users are notpermitted to modify the features and functionalities of such system totheir customized application requirements, other than changing limitedfunctions within the system by reading system-programming type bar codesymbols, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,321,989; 5,965,863; 5,929,418;and 5,932,862, each being incorporated herein by reference.

Also, dedicated image-processing based bar code symbol reading devicesusually have very limited resources, such as the amount of volatile andnon-volatile memories. Therefore, they usually do not have a rich set oftools normally available to universal computer systems. Further, if acustomer or a third-party needs to enhance or alter the behavior of aconventional image-processing based bar code symbol reading system ordevice, they need to contact the device manufacturer and negotiate thenecessary changes in the “standard” software or the ways to integratetheir own software into the device, which usually involves the re-designor re-compilation of the software by the original equipment manufacturer(OEM). This software modification process is both costly and timeconsuming.

Prior Art Field of View (FOV) Aiming, Targeting, Indicating and MarkingTechniques

The need to target, indicate and/or mark the field of view (FOV) of 1Dand 2D image sensors within hand-held imagers has also been longrecognized in the industry.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,949, Danielson et a disclosed on Aug. 8, 1986 andigital image capture and processing system having a 2D image sensorwith a field of view (FOV) and also a pair of LEDs mounted about a 1D(i.e. linear) image sensor to project a pair of light beams through theFOV focusing optics and produce a pair of spots on a target surfacesupporting a 1D bar code, thereby indicating the location of the FOV onthe target and enable the user to align the bar code therewithin.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,019,699, Koenck et al disclosed on Aug. 31, 1988 andigital image capture and processing system having a 2D image sensorwith a field of view (FOV) and also a set of four LEDs (each withlenses) about the periphery of a 2D (i.e. area) image sensor to projectfour light beams through the FOV focusing optics and produce four spotson a target surface to mark the corners of the FOV intersecting with thetarget, to help the user align 1D and 2D bar codes therewithin in aneasy manner.

In FIGS. 48-50 of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,841,121 and 6,681,994, Koenckdisclosed on Nov. 21, 1990, an digital image capture and processingsystem having a 2D image sensor with a field of view (FOV) and alsoapparatus for marking the perimeter of the FOV, using four light sourcesand light shaping optics (e.g. cylindrical lens).

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,883, Batterman et al disclosed on Jul. 29, 1991,a hand-held digital image capture and processing system having a 2Dimage sensor with a field of view (FOV) and also a laser light sourceand fixed lens to produce a spotter beam that helps the operator aim thereader at a candidate bar code symbol. As disclosed, the spotter beam isalso used measure the distance to the bar code symbol during automaticfocus control operations supported within the bar code symbol reader.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,659,167, Wang et al disclosed on Apr. 5, 1994, andigital image capture and processing system comprising a 2D image sensorwith a field of view (FOV), a user display for displaying a visualrepresentation of a dataform (e.g. bar code symbol), and visual guidemarks on the user display for indicating whether or not the dataformbeing imaged is in focus when its image is within the guide marks, andout of focus when its image is within the guide marks.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,347,163, Roustaei disclosed on May 19, 1995, a systemfor reading 2D images comprising a 2D image sensor, an array of LEDillumination sources, and an image framing device which uses a VLD forproducing a laser beam and a light diffractive optical element fortransforming the laser beam into a plurality of beamlets having a beamedge and a beamlet spacing at the 2D image, which is at least as largeas the width of the 2D image.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,783,811, Feng et al disclosed on Feb. 26, 1996, aportable imaging assembly comprising a 2D image sensor with a field ofview (FOV) and also a set of LEDs and a lens array which produces across-hair type illumination pattern in the FOV for aiming the imagingassembly at a target.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,793,033, Feng et al disclosed on Mar. 29, 1996, aportable imaging assembly comprising a 2D image sensor with a field ofview (FOV), and a viewing assembly having a pivoting member which, whenpositioned a predetermined distance from the operator's eye, provides aview through its opening which corresponds to the target area (FOV) ofthe imaging assembly. for displaying a visual representation of adataform (e.g. bar code symbol).

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,780,834, Havens et al disclosed on May 14, 1996, aportable imaging and illumination optics assembly having a 2D imagesensor with a field of view (FOV), an array of LEDs for illumination,and an aiming or spotting light (LED) indicating the location of theFOV.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,949,057, Feng et al disclosed on Jan. 31, 1997, aportable imaging device comprising a 2D image sensor with a field ofview (FOV), and first and second sets of targeting LEDs and first andsecond targeting optics, which produces first and second illuminationtargeting patterns, which substantially coincide to form a singleillumination targeting pattern when the imaging device is arranged at a“best focus” position.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,060,722, Havens et al disclosed on Sep. 24, 1997, aportable imaging and illumination optics assembly comprising a 2D imagesensor with a field of view (FOV), an array of LEDs for illumination,and an aiming pattern generator including at least a point-like aiminglight source and a light diffractive element for producing an aimingpattern that remains approximately coincident with the FOV of theimaging device over the range of the reader-to-target distances overwhich the reader is used.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,340,114, filed Jun. 12, 1998, Correa et al disclosedan imaging engine comprising a 2D image sensor with a field of view(FOV) and an aiming pattern generator using one or more laser diodes andone or more light diffractive elements to produce multiple aiming frameshaving different, partially overlapping, solid angle fields ordimensions corresponding to the different fields of view of the lensassembly employed in the imaging engine. The aiming pattern includes acentrally-located marker or cross-hair pattern. Each aiming frameconsists of four corner markers, each comprising a plurality ofilluminated spots, for example, two multiple spot lines intersecting atan angle of 90 degrees.

As a result of limitations in the field of view (FOV) marking, targetingand pointing subsystems employed within prior art digital image captureand processing systems, such prior art readers generally fail to enableusers to precisely identify which portions of the FOV read high-density1D bar codes with the ease and simplicity of laser scanning based barcode symbol readers, and also 2D symbologies, such as PDF 417 and DataMatrix.

Also, as a result of limitations in the mechanical, electrical, optical,and software design of prior art digital image capture and processingsystems, such prior art readers generally: (i) fail to enable users toread high-density 1D bar codes with the ease and simplicity of laserscanning based bar code symbol readers and also 2D symbologies, such asPDF 417 and Data Matrix, and (iii) have not enabled end-users to modifythe features and functionalities of such prior art systems withoutdetailed knowledge about the hard-ware platform, communicationinterfaces and the user interfaces of such systems.

Also, control operations in prior art image-processing bar code symbolreading systems have not been sufficiently flexible or agile to adapt tothe demanding lighting conditions presented in challenging retail andindustrial work environments where 1D and 2D bar code symbols need to bereliably read.

Prior art digital imaging and laser scanning systems also suffering froma number of other problems as well.

Some prior art imaging systems have relied on IR-based object detectionusing the same image sensing array for detecting images of objects, andtherefore, require that the decode microprocessor be powered up duringthe object detection state of operation, and consuming power which wouldbe undesirable in portable digital imaging applications.

Thus, there is a great need in the art for an improved method of andapparatus for reading bar code symbols using image capture andprocessing techniques which avoid the shortcomings and drawbacks ofprior art methods and apparatus.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide anovel method of and apparatus for enabling the reading of 1D and 2D barcode symbologies using image capture and processing based systems anddevices, which avoid the shortcomings and drawbacks of prior art methodsand apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novelhand-supportable digital image capture and processing system capable ofautomatically reading 1D and 2D bar code symbologies using advancedillumination and imaging techniques, providing speeds and reliabilityassociated with conventional laser scanning bar code symbol readers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system having an integratedLED-based linear targeting illumination subsystem for automaticallygenerating a visible linear targeting illumination beam for aiming on atarget object prior to illuminating the same during its area imagecapture mode of operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system having a presentation modewhich employs a hybrid video and snap-shot mode of image detectoroperation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system employing automatic objectpresence detection to control the generation of a wide-area illuminationbeam during bar code symbol imaging operations.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system employing a CMOS-type imagedetecting array with a band-pass optical filter subsystem integratedwithin the hand-supportable housing thereof, to allow only narrow-bandillumination from the multi-mode illumination subsystem to expose theimage detecting array during object illumination and imaging operations.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system employing a multi-modeled-based illumination subsystem.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system having 1D/2Dauto-discrimination capabilities.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such animaging-based bar code symbol reader having target applications at pointof sales in convenience stores, gas stations, quick markets, and thelike.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a digitalimage-processing based bar code symbol reading system that is highlyflexible and agile to adapt to the demanding lighting conditionspresented in challenging retail and industrial work environments where1D and 2D bar code symbols need to be reliably read.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such an automaticimaging-based bar code symbol reading system, wherein an automatic lightexposure measurement and illumination control subsystem is adapted tomeasure the light exposure on a central portion of the CMOS imagedetecting array and control the operation of the LED-based illuminationsubsystem in cooperation with the digital image processing subsystem.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system employing automatic objectdetection, and a linear targeting illumination beam generated fromsubstantially the same plane as the area image detection array.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system employing hybridillumination and imaging modes of operation employing a controlledcomplex of snap-shot and video illumination/imaging techniques.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system employing a single PC boardwith imaging aperture, and image formation and detection subsystem andlinear illumination targeting subsystem supported on the rear side ofthe board, using common FOV/Beam folding optics; and also, lightcollection mirror for collecting central rays along the FOV as part ofthe automatic light measurement and illumination control subsystem.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system, wherein the pair of LEDs,and corresponding aperture stops and cylindrical mirrors are mounted onopposite sides of the image detection array in the image formation anddetection subsystem, and employs a common FOV/BEAM folding mirror toproject the linear illumination target beam through the central lighttransmission aperture (formed in the PC board) and out of the imagingwindow of the system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system, wherein a single LED arrayis mounted above its imaging window and beneath a light ray blockingshroud portion of the housing about the imaging window, to reduceillumination rays from striking the eyes of the system operator ornearby consumers during system operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system, with improved menu-readingcapabilities.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system having an integratedband-pass filter employing wavelength filtering FOV mirror elements.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system having multi-mode imageformation and detection systems supporting snap-shot, true-video, andpseudo (high-speed repeated snap-shot) modes of operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system having an image formationand detection system supporting high-repetition snap-shot mode ofoperation, and wherein the time duration of illumination and imaging issubstantially equal to the time for image processing—andglobally-exposure principles of operation are stroboscopicallyimplemented.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system employing automatic objectmotion detection using IR sensing techniques (e.g. IR LED/photodiode,IR-based imaging, and IR-based LADAR—pulse doppler).

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system employing automatic linearillumination target beam, projected from the rear-side of the PC board,adjacent image sensing array, and reflecting off FOV folding mirror intothe FOV.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system having single PC board withlight transmission aperture having image detection array mountedthereon, with the optical axis of the image formation opticsperpendicular to the said PC board and a double-set of FOV foldingmirrors for projecting the FOV out through the light transmissionaperture and the image window of the system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system having single PC board withlight transmission aperture, wherein a pair of cylindrical opticalelements proved for forming a linear illumination target beam, aredisposed parallel to a FOV folding mirror used to project the linearillumination target beam out through the light transmission aperture andthe image window of the system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system having single PC board withlight transmission aperture, wherein an array of visible LED are mountedon the rear side of the PC board for producing a linear illuminationtarget beam, and an array of visible LEDs are mounted on the front sideof the PC board for producing a field of visible illumination within theFOV of the system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system having single PC board witha light transmission aperture, wherein a first array of visible LED aremounted on the rear side of the PC board for producing a linearillumination target beam, whereas a second array of visible LEDs aremounted on the front side of the PC board for producing a field ofvisible illumination within the FOV of the system, wherein said field ofvisible illumination being substantially coextensive with said linearillumination target beam.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system having single PC board withlight transmission aperture, wherein a set of visible LEDs are mountedon opposite sides of an area-type image detection array mounted to thePC board, for producing a linear illumination target beam, that issubstantially parallel to the optical axis of the image formation opticsof the image detection array, as it is projected through the lighttransmission aperture and imaging window of the system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system having single PC board withlight transmission aperture, wherein an automatic light measurement andillumination control subsystem is provided employing a light collectingmirror disposed behind said light transmission aperture for collectinglight from a central portion of the FOV of the system provided by imageformation optics before an area-type image detection array on mounted onthe PC board, and focusing the collected light onto photodetectormounted adjacent the image detection array, but independent of itsoperation; and wherein beyond the light transmission aperture, theoptical axis of the light collecting mirror is substantially parallel tothe optical axis of the image formation and detection subsystem.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system employing a system controlsystem that controls (i) an image formation and detection subsystememploying an area-type image detection array with image formation opticsproviding a field of view (FOV) and wherein one of several possibleimage detection array modes of operation are selectable, and (ii) amulti-mode illumination subsystem employing multiple LED illuminationarrays for illuminating selected portions of the FOV.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system employing a system controlsystem that controls an image formation and detection subsystememploying an area-type image detection array with image formation opticsproviding a field of view (FOV) and in which one of several possibleimage detection array modes of operation are selectable, and amulti-mode illumination subsystem employing multiple LED illuminationarrays for illuminating selected portions of said FOV; and wherein thesystem supports an illumination and imaging control process employingboth snap-shot and video-modes of operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system employing linear targetillumination beam to align programming-type bar code symbols prior towide-area illumination and image capture and processing so as to confirmthat such bar code symbol was intentionally read as a programming-typebar code symbol.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system employing linear targetillumination beam to align programming-type bar code symbols andnarrowly-confined active subregion in the FOV centered about the lineartarget illumination beam so as to confirm that bar code symbols regionin this subregion was intentionally read as a programming-type bar codesymbols.

Another object of the present invention is to provide ahand/countertop-supportable digital image capture and processing systemwhich carries out a first method of hands-free digital imaging employingautomatic hands-free configuration detection, automatic object presencemotion/velocity detection in field of view (FOV) of system (i.e.automatic-triggering), automatic illumination and imaging of multipleimage frames while operating in a snap-shot mode during a first timeinterval, and automatic illumination and imaging while operating in avideo-mode during a second time interval.

Another object of the present invention is to provide ahand/countertop-supportable digital image capture and processing systemwhich carries out a second method of hands-free digital imagingemploying automatic hands-free configuration detection, automatic objectpresence detection in field of view (FOV) of system (i.e.automatic-triggering), automatic linear target illumination beamgeneration, and automatic illumination and imaging of multiple imageframes while operating in a snap-shot mode within a predetermined timeinterval.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such ahand/countertop-supportable digital image capture and processing systemwhich can be easily used during for menu-reading applications.

Another object of the present invention is to provide ahand/countertop-supportable digital image capture and processing systemwhich carries out a third method of hands-free digital imaging employingautomatic hands-free configuration detection, automatic object presencedetection in field of view (FOV) of system (i.e. automatic-triggering),and automatic illumination and imaging while operating in a video modewithin a predetermined time interval.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system which carries out a firstmethod of hand-held digital imaging employing automatic hand-heldconfiguration detection, automatic object presence detection in field ofview (FOV) of system (i.e. automatic-triggering), automatic lineartarget illumination beam generation (i.e. automatic object targeting),and automatic illumination and imaging of multiple digital image frameswhile operating in a snap-shot mode within a predetermined timeinterval.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system which carries out a secondmethod of hand-held digital imaging employing automatic hand-heldconfiguration detection, automatic object presence detection in field ofview (FOV) of system (i.e. automatic-triggering), automatic lineartarget illumination beam generation (i.e. automatic object targeting),and automatic illumination and imaging of video image frames whileoperating in a video-shot mode within a predetermined time interval.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system which carries out a firstmethod of hand-held digital imaging employing automatic hand-heldconfiguration detection, manual trigger switching (i.e.manual-triggering), automatic linear target illumination beam generation(i.e. automatic object targeting), and automatic illumination andimaging of multiple image frames while operating in a snap-shot modewithin a predetermined time interval.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system which carries out a fourthmethod of hand-held digital imaging employing automatic hand-heldconfiguration detection, manual trigger switching (i.e.manual-triggering), automatic linear target illumination beam generation(i.e. automatic object targeting), and automatic illumination andimaging of video image frames while operating in a video-shot modewithin a predetermined time interval.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system which carries out a fifthmethod of hand-held digital imaging employing automatic hand-heldconfiguration detection, manual trigger switching (i.e.manual-triggering), automatic linear target illumination beam generation(i.e. automatic object targeting), and illumination and imaging ofsingle image frame while operating in a snap-shot mode.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system employing a pseudo-videoillumination mode, enabling ½ the number of frames captured (e.g. 15frame/second), with a substantially reduced illumination annoyance index(IAI).

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system, wherein a single array ofLEDs are used to illuminate the field of view of system so as minimizeillumination of the field of view (FOV) of human operators andspectators in the ambient environment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such ahand-supportable digital image capture and processing system whichfurther comprises a linear targeting illumination beam.

Another object of the present invention is to provide ahand/countertop-supportable digital image capture and processing system,employing a method of illuminating and capturing digital images at thepoint of sale using a digital image capture and processing systemoperating in a presentation mode of operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such ahand/countertop-supportable digital image capture and processing system,wherein a light ray blocking structure is arranged about upper portionof the imaging window.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such ahand-supportable digital image capture and processing system, whereinillumination rays are maintained below an illumination ceiling, abovewhich the field of view of human operator and spectators are typicallypositioned.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system which stores multiple filesfor different sets of system configuration parameters which areautomatically implemented when one or multiple communication interfacessupported by the system is automatically detected and implemented,without scanning programming type bar code symbols.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system which incorporates imageintensification technology within the image formation and detectionsubsystem and before the image detection array so as to enable thedetection of faint (i.e. low intensity) images of objects formed in theFOV using very low illumination levels, as may be required or desired indemanding environments, such as retail POS environments, where highintensity illumination levels are either prohibited or highly undesiredfrom a human safety and/or comfort point of view.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system employing a LED-drivenoptical-waveguide structure that is used to illuminate amanually-actuated trigger switch integrated within the hand-supportablehousing of the system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system employing anacoustic-waveguide structure coupling sonic energy, produced from itselectro-acoustic transducer, to the sound ports formed in the systemhousing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system that is provided with anillumination subsystem employing prismatic illumination focusing lensstructure integrated within its imaging window, for generating a fieldof visible illumination that is highly confined below the field of viewof the system operator and customers who are present at the POS stationat which the digital image capture and processing system is deployed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system which carries out a methodof automatically programming multiple system configuration parameterswithin system memory of the digital image capture and processing systemof present invention, without reading programming-type bar codes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system which carries out a methodof unlocking restricted features embodied within the digital imagecapture and processing system of present invention of the thirdillustrative embodiment, by reading feature/functionality-unlockingprogramming-type bar code symbols.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system of present inventionemploying a single linear LED illumination array for providing fullfield illumination within the entire FOV of the system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method ofreducing glare produced from an LED-based illumination array employed ina digital image capture and processing system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system employing a prismaticillumination-focusing lens component, integrated within the imagingwindow of the present invention.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system having a multi-interface I/Osubsystem employing a software-controlled automatic communicationinterface test/detection process that is carried out over a cableconnector physically connecting the I/O ports of the digital imagecapture and processing subsystem and its designated host system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system supporting a method ofprogramming a set of system configuration parameters (SCPs) withinsystem during the implementation of the communication interface with ahost system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system which once initiallyprogrammed, avoids the need read individual programming codes at itsend-user deployment environment in order to change additionalconfiguration parameters (e.g. symbologies, prefixes, suffixes, dataparsing, etc.) for a particular communication interface supported by thehost system environment in which it has been deployed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide suchhand-supportable digital image capture and processing system offeringsignificant advantages including, for example, a reduction in the costof ownership and maintenance, with a significant improvement inconvenience and deployment flexibility within an organizationalenvironment employing diverse host computing system environments.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system, which employs orincorporates automatic gyroscopic-based image stabilization technologywithin the image formation and detection subsystem, so as to enable theformation and detection of crystal clear images in the presence ofenvironments characterized by hand jitter, camera platform vibration,and the like.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such ahand-supportable digital image capture and processing system, whereinthe automatic gyroscopic-based image stabilization technology employsFOV imaging optics and FOV folding mirrors which are gyroscopicallystabilized, with a real-time image stabilization system employingmultiple accelerometers.

These and other objects of the present invention will become moreapparently understood hereinafter and in the Claims to Inventionappended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS OF PRESENT INVENTION

For a more complete understanding of how to practice the Objects of thePresent Invention, the following Detailed Description of theIllustrative Embodiments can be read in conjunction with theaccompanying Drawings, briefly described below.

FIG. 1A is a first frontal perspective view of the hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system of the first illustrativeembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a second perspective view of the hand-supportable digitalimage capture and processing system of the first illustrative embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 1C is an elevated right side view of the hand-supportable digitalimage capture and processing system of the first illustrative embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 1D is an top plan view of the hand-supportable digital imagecapture and processing system of the first illustrative embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 1E is a rear perspective view of the hand-supportable digital imagecapture and processing system of the first illustrative embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 1F is a second perspective front view of the hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system of the first illustrativeembodiment of the present invention, revealing its first and secondillumination arrays and IR-based object detection subsystem;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram representative of a system designfor the hand-supportable digital image capture and processing systemillustrated in FIGS. 1A through 1F, wherein the system design is showncomprising (1) an image formation and detection (i.e. IFD or Camera)subsystem having image formation (camera) optics for producing a fieldof view (FOV) upon an object to be imaged and a CMOS or like area-typeimage detection array for detecting imaged light reflected off theobject during illumination operations in an image capture mode in whichmultiple rows of the image detection array, (2) an LED-based multi-modeillumination subsystem employing wide-area LED illumination arrays forproducing fields of narrow-band wide-area illumination within both thenear-field and far-field portions of the FOV of the image formation anddetection subsystem, which is reflected from the illuminated object,transmitted through a narrow-band transmission-type optical filterrealized within the hand-supportable housing and detected by the imagedetection array while all other components (i.e. wavelengths) of ambientlight are substantially rejected, (3) an object targeting illuminationsubsystem (4) an IR-based object motion detection and analysis subsystemfor producing an IR-based object detection field within the FOV of theimage formation and detection subsystem, (5) an automatic light exposuremeasurement and illumination control subsystem for controlling theoperation of the LED-based multi-mode illumination subsystem, (6) animage capturing and buffering subsystem for capturing and buffering 2-Dimages detected by the image formation and detection subsystem, (7) adigital image processing subsystem for processing images captured andbuffered by the Image Capturing and Buffering Subsystem and reading 1Dand 2D bar code symbols represented, and (8) an Input/Output Subsystemfor outputting processed image data and the like to an external hostsystem or other information receiving or responding device, in whicheach said subsystem component is integrated about (9) a System ControlSubsystem, as shown;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram representative of a system implementationfor the hand-supportable digital image capture and processing systemillustrated in FIGS. 1A through 2, wherein the system implementation isshown comprising a single board carrying components realizing (i)electronic functions performed by the Multi-Mode LED-Based IlluminationSubsystem and the automatic light exposure measurement and illuminationcontrol subsystem, (2) a high resolution CMOS image sensor array withrandomly accessible region of interest (ROI) window capabilities,realizing electronic functions performed by the multi-mode area-typeimage formation and detection subsystem, (3) a 64-Bit microprocessorsupported by (i) an expandable flash memory and (ii) SDRAM, (4) an FPGAFIFO configured to control the camera timings and drive an imageacquisition process, (5) a power management module for the MCUadjustable by the system bus, and (6) a pair of UARTs (one for an IRDAport and one for a JTAG port), (7) an interface circuitry for realizingthe functions performed by the I/O subsystem, and (8) an IR-based objectmotion detection and analysis circuitry for realizing the IR-basedobject motion detection and analysis subsystem;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the hand-supportable digital imagecapture and processing system of the first illustrative embodiment,wherein the front portion of the hand-supportable housing has beenremoved revealing both the far-field and near-field lens arrays arrangedin registration over the far-field and near-field LED illuminationarrays within the system, LED driver circuitry, automatic object motiondetection and analysis circuitry, and other circuits;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the hand-supportable digital imagecapture and processing system of the first illustrative embodiment,wherein the front portion of the hand-supportable housing as well as thefar-field and near-field lens arrays are removed so as to reveal theunderlying single printed circuit (PC) board/optical bench populatedwith the far-field and near-field LED illumination arrays, LED drivercircuitry, automatic object motion detection and analysis circuitry, andother circuits;

FIG. 4C is another perspective view of the hand-supportable digitalimage capture and processing system of the first illustrativeembodiment, wherein the front portion of the hand-supportable housinghas been removed revealing both the far-field and near-field lens arraysarranged in registration over the far-field and near-field LEDillumination arrays within the system;

FIG. 4D is another perspective view of the far-field and near-field lensarrays employed within the hand-supportable digital image capture andprocessing system of the first illustrative embodiment shown in FIGS. 1Athrough 4C;

FIG. 4E is a perspective view of the PC board/optical bench employedwithin the hand-supportable digital image capture and processing systemof the first illustrative embodiment, wherein a light transmissionaperture is formed in the PC board, through which the field of view(FOV), and the linear targeting illumination beam passes during systemoperation, and on the “front-side” of which far-field and near-field LEDillumination arrays, area-type image detection arrays, the FOV foldingmirrors, the area-type image detecting array, and linear targetingillumination beam optics are mounted, and on the “back-side” of whichthe IR-based object motion detection and analysis circuitry, themicroprocessor and system memory are mounted;

FIG. 4F is a perspective view of the PC board/optical bench employedwithin the hand-supportable digital image capture and processing systemof the first illustrative embodiment, showing the variouselectro-optical and electronic components mounted on the front-sidesurface thereof;

FIG. 4G is a perspective view of the back-side of the PC board/opticalbench employed within the hand-supportable digital image capture andprocessing system of the first illustrative embodiment, showing thevarious electro-optical and electronic components (including thearea-type imaging sensing array) mounted on the back-side surfacethereof, with the FOV folding mirrors, the area-type image detectingarray, and linear targeting illumination beam optics shown removedtherefrom;

FIG. 4H is an elevated side cross-sectional view of the hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system of the first illustrativeembodiment, showing light rays propagating from the far-field LEDillumination array, as well as light rays collected along the FOV of theimage formation and detection subsystem;

FIG. 4I is an elevated side cross-sectional view of the hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system of the first illustrativeembodiment, showing light rays propagating from the near-field LEDillumination array, as well as light rays collected along the FOV of theimage formation and detection (IFD) subsystem;

FIG. 5A is an elevated side cross-sectional view of the hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system of the first illustrativeembodiment, showing the LED-Based Illumination Subsystem illuminating anobject in the FOV with visible narrow-band illumination, and the imageformation optics, including the low pass filter before the imagedetection array, collecting and focusing light rays reflected from theilluminated object, so that an image of the object is formed anddetected using only the optical components of light contained within thenarrow-band of illumination, while all other components of ambient lightare substantially rejected before image detection at the image detectionarray;

FIG. 5B is a rear perspective view of the hand-supportable digital imagecapture and processing system of the first illustrative embodiment,shown with the rear portion of the housing removed, and revealing (i)the molded housing portion supporting the FOV folding mirrors of the IFDsubsystem, and its narrow-band pass optical filtering structure mountedover the rear portion of the central light transmission aperture formedin the PC board/optical bench, as well as (ii) the illumination sourcesand optics associated with the linear target illumination subsystem ofthe present invention mounted about the area-type image detection arrayof the IFD subsystem;

FIG. 5C is a side perspective view of the PC board/optical benchassembly removed from the hand-supportable digital image capture andprocessing system of the first illustrative embodiment, and showing themolded housing portion supporting the FOV folding mirrors of the IFDsubsystem, mounted over the central light transmission aperture, as wellas the illumination sources and optics associated with the linear targetillumination subsystem of the present invention, mounted about thearea-type image detection array of the IFD subsystem;

FIG. 5D is a schematic representation showing (i) the high-pass (i.e.red-wavelength reflecting) optical filter element embodied within theimaging window of the digital image capture and processing system orembodied within the surface of one of its FOV folding mirrors employedin the IFD subsystem, and (ii) the low-pass optical filter elementdisposed before its CMOS image detection array or embodied within thesurface of another one of the FOV folding mirrors employed in the IFDsubsystem, which optically cooperate to form a narrow-band opticalfilter subsystem for transmitting substantially only the very narrowband of wavelengths (e.g. 620-700 nanometers) of visible illuminationproduced from the Multi-Mode LED-Based Illumination Subsystem andreflected/scattered off the illuminated object, while rejecting allother optical wavelengths outside this narrow optical band howevergenerated (i.e. ambient light sources);

FIG. 5E1 is a schematic representation of transmission characteristics(energy versus wavelength) associated with the red-wavelength reflectinghigh-pass imaging window integrated within the hand-supportable housingof the digital image capture and processing system of the presentinvention, showing that optical wavelengths above 700 nanometers aretransmitted and wavelengths below 700 nm are substantially blocked (e.g.absorbed or reflected);

FIG. 5E2 is a schematic representation of transmission characteristics(energy versus wavelength) associated with the low-pass optical filterelement disposed after the high-pass optical filter element within thedigital image capture and processing system, but before its CMOS imagedetection array, showing that optical wavelengths below 620 nanometersare transmitted and wavelengths above 620 nm are substantially blocked(e.g. absorbed or reflected);

FIG. 5E3 is a schematic representation of the transmissioncharacteristics of the narrow-based spectral filter subsystem integratedwithin the hand-supportable image capture and processing system of thepresent invention, plotted against the spectral characteristics of theLED-emissions produced from the Multi-Mode LED-Based IlluminationSubsystem of the illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5F is a schematic representation showing the geometrical layout ofthe optical components used within the hand-supportable digital imagecapture and processing system of the first illustrative embodiment,wherein the red-wavelength reflecting high-pass lens element is embodiedwithin the imaging window of the system, while the low-pass filter isdisposed before the area-type image detection array so as to image theobject at the image detection array using only optical components withinthe narrow-band of illumination, while rejecting all other components ofambient light;

FIG. 5G is a schematic representation of an alternative auto-focus/zoomoptics assembly which can be employed in the image formation anddetection subsystem of the hand-supportable digital image capture andprocessing system of the first illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 6A is a schematic representation of the single frame shutter mode(i.e. snap-shot mode) of the operation supported by the CMOS imagedetection array employed in the system of the first illustrativeembodiment, showing (i) that during the row reset stage (e.g. about 150milliseconds), only ambient illumination is permitted to expose theimage detection array, (ii) that during the global integrationoperations (e.g. between 500 microseconds and 8.0 milliseconds), bothLED-based strobe and ambient illumination are permitted to expose theimage detection array, and (iii) that during row data transferoperations (e.g. about 30 milliseconds), only ambient illumination ispermitted to illuminate the image detection array;

FIG. 6B is a schematic representation of the real video mode of theoperation supported by the CMOS image detection array employed in thesystem of the first illustrative embodiment, showing (i) that duringeach image acquisition cycle, including row data transfer operations,multiple rows of the image detection array are simultaneouslyintegrating both LED-based illumination and ambient illumination;

FIG. 6C is a schematic representation of the periodic snap shot(“pseudo-video”) mode of the operation supported by the CMOS imagedetection array employed in the system of the first illustrativeembodiment, showing the periodic generation of snap-shot type imageacquisition cycles (e.g. each having a duration of approximately 30milliseconds), followed by a decode-processing cycle having atime-duration approximately equal to the duration of the snap-shot typeimage acquisition cycle (e.g. approximately 30 milliseconds) so that atleast fifteen (15) image frames can be acquired per second;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the hand-supportable digital imagecapture and processing system of the first illustrative embodiment,employing infra-red (IR) transmitting and receiving diodes to implementan IR-based object motion detection and analysis subsystem therein;

FIG. 7B is a schematic representation of the IR-based object motiondetection and analysis subsystem of FIG. 7A, shown comprising an IRlaser diode, an IR photo-detector, phase detector, AM modulator andother components for generating range indication information fromreflected AM IR laser signals transmitted from the IR laser diode andreceived by the IR photo-detector during system operation;

FIG. 7C is a perspective view of the hand-supportable digital imagecapture and processing system of the first illustrative embodiment,wherein the front portion of the system housing including the imagingwindow are removed so as to reveal the underlying single printed circuit(PC) board/optical bench supporting the infra-red (IR) LED and imagesensor associated with the IR-imaging based object motion and velocitydetection subsystem further illustrated in FIG. 7D;

FIG. 7D is a schematic representation of the IR-imaging based objectmotion and velocity detection subsystem of FIG. 7C, shown comprising anIR LED, optics for illuminating at least a portion of the field of viewwith IR illumination, an image detection array for capturing an IR-basedimage, and a digital signal processor (DSP) for processing captureddigital images and computing the motion and velocity of objects in thefield of view of the system;

FIG. 7E is a perspective view of the hand-supportable digital imagecapture and processing system of the first illustrative embodiment,wherein the front portion of the system housing including the imagingwindow are removed so as to reveal the underlying single printed circuit(PC) board/optical bench supporting a high-speed IR LADAR Pulse-Dopplerbased object motion and velocity detection subsystem, wherein a pair ofpulse-modulated IR laser diodes are focused through optics and projectedinto the 3D imaging volume of the system for sensing the presence,motion and velocity of objects passing therethrough in real-time usingIR Pulse-Doppler LIDAR techniques;

FIG. 7F is a block schematic representation of the high-speedimaging-based object motion/velocity detection subsystem of FIG. 7E,shown comprising an IR LADAR transceiver and an embedded digital signalprocessing (DSP) chip to support high-speed digital signal processingoperations required for real-time object presence, motion and velocitydetection;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the hand-supportable digital imagecapture and processing system of the first illustrative embodiment,wherein its object targeting illumination subsystem automaticallygenerates and projects a visible linear-targeting beam across thecentral extent of the FOV of the system in response to the automaticdetection of an object during hand-held imaging modes of systemoperation;

FIG. 8B is an elevated front view of the hand-supportable digital imagecapture and processing system of the first illustrative embodiment, asshown in FIG. 8B, wherein its object targeting illumination subsystemautomatically generates and projects a visible linear-targeting beamacross the central extent of the FOV of the system in response to theautomatic detection of an object during hand-held imaging modes ofsystem operation;

FIG. 8C is a perspective cross-sectional view of the hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system of the first illustrativeembodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, wherein its object targetingillumination subsystem automatically generates and projects a linearvisible targeting beam across the central extent of the FOV of thesystem in response to the automatic detection of an object duringhand-held imaging modes of system operation;

FIG. 8D is an elevated side cross-sectional view of the hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system of the first illustrativeembodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8A through 8C, wherein its objecttargeting illumination subsystem automatically generates and projects alinear visible targeting beam, from a pair of visible LEDs andrectangular aperture stops mounted adjacent the image detection array ofthe system, a pair of cylindrical-type beam shaping and folding mirrorsmounted above the LEDs, and a planar beam folding mirror mounted behindthe imaging window of the system;

FIG. 8E is an elevated side cross-sectional, enlarged view of thehand-supportable digital image capture and processing system of thefirst illustrative embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8A through 8D, whereinits object targeting illumination subsystem automatically generates andprojects a linear visible targeting beam, from a pair of visible LEDsand rectangular aperture stops mounted adjacent the image detectionarray of the system, a pair of cylindrical-type beam shaping and foldingmirrors mounted above the LEDs, and a planar beam folding mirror mountedbehind the imaging window of the system;

FIGS. 8F and 8G are perspective views of the hand-supportable digitalimage capture and processing system of the first illustrativeembodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8A through 8D, wherein its rear housingportion is removed so as to reveal, in greater detail, the subcomponentsof the object targeting illumination subsystem of the present invention,which automatically generates and projects a linear visible targetingillumination beam, from a pair of visible LEDs, a pair of rectangularaperture stops mounted adjacent the image detection array, a pair ofcylindrical-type beam shaping and folding mirrors mounted above theLEDs, and a planar beam folding mirror mounted behind the imaging windowof the system;

FIG. 8H is perspective, cross-sectional view of the hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system of the first illustrativeembodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8A through 8D, wherein its rear housingportion is removed so as to reveal, in greater detail, half of thesubcomponents of the object targeting illumination subsystem of thepresent invention, which automatically generates and projects half ofthe linear visible targeting illumination beam, from a visible LED,rectangular aperture stop, a cylindrical-type beam shaping and foldingmirror mounted above the visible LED, and a planar beam folding mirrormounted behind the imaging window of the system;

FIG. 9A is a top perspective view of the hand-supportable digital imagecapture and processing system of the first illustrative embodiment, asillustrated in FIGS. 8A through 8H, and showing the optical path ofcentral light rays propagating towards the parabolic lightreflecting/collecting mirror and avalanche-type photodiode associatedwith the automatic light exposure measurement and illumination controlsubsystem, and compactly arranged within the hand-supportable digitalimage capture and processing system of the illustrative embodiment,wherein incident illumination is collected from a selected portion ofthe center of the FOV of the system using the spherical light collectingmirror, and then focused upon a photodiode for detection of theintensity of reflected illumination and subsequent processing by theautomatic light exposure measurement and illumination control subsystem,so as to control the illumination produced by the LED-based multi-modeillumination subsystem employed in the digital image capture andprocessing system of the present invention;

FIG. 9B is a side perspective view of the hand-supportable digital imagecapture and processing system of the first illustrative embodiment, asillustrated in FIGS. 8A through 9A, showing the optical path of centrallight rays propagating towards the spherical/parabolic lightreflecting/collecting mirror and photodiode associated with theautomatic light exposure measurement and illumination control subsystem,and compactly arranged within the hand-supportable digital image captureand processing system of the illustrative embodiment, wherein incidentillumination is collected from a selected portion of the center of theFOV of the system using the spherical light collecting mirror, and thenfocused upon a photodiode for detection of the intensity of reflectedillumination and subsequent processing by the automatic light exposuremeasurement and illumination control subsystem, so as to then controlthe illumination produced by the LED-based multi-mode illuminationsubsystem employed in the digital image capture and processing system ofthe present invention;

FIG. 9C is a first elevated side cross-sectional view of thehand-supportable digital image capture and processing system of thefirst illustrative embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 8A through 9B,showing the optical path of central light rays propagating towards ofthe spherical/parabolic light reflecting/collecting mirror andphotodiode associated with the automatic light exposure measurement andillumination control subsystem, and compactly arranged within thehand-supportable digital image capture and processing system of theillustrative embodiment, wherein incident illumination is collected froma selected portion of the center of the FOV of the system using thespherical light collecting mirror, and then focused upon a photodiodefor detection of the intensity of reflected illumination and subsequentprocessing by the automatic light exposure measurement and illuminationcontrol subsystem, so as to then control the illumination produced bythe LED-based multi-mode illumination subsystem employed in the digitalimage capture and processing system of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a block-type schematic diagram for the hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system of the first illustrativeembodiment, illustrating the control processes carried out whenparticular illumination and imaging modes of operation are enabled bythe system during its modes of system operation;

FIG. 11A is a signal timing diagram describing the timing of signalsgenerated within the control architecture of the system of the firstillustrative embodiment, when the snap-shot mode of operation isselected;

FIG. 11B is an event timing diagram describing the timing of eventswithin the area-type digital image detection array during its snap-shotmode of operation in the system of the first illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 12A is a signal timing diagram describing the timing of signalsgenerated within the control architecture of the system of the firstillustrative embodiment, when the Video Mode of operation is selected;

FIG. 12B is an event timing diagram describing the timing of eventswithin the area-type digital image detection array during its video modeof operation in the system of the first illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 12C is a signal timing diagram describing the timing of signalsgenerated within the control architecture of the system of the firstillustrative embodiment, when the Pseudo-Video Mode of operation isselected;

FIG. 12D is an event timing diagram describing the timing of eventswithin the area-type digital image detection array during itspseudo-video mode of operation in the system of the first illustrativeembodiment;

FIG. 13 is a schematic representation showing the software modulesassociated with the three-tier software architecture of thehand-supportable digital image capture and processing system of thepresent invention, namely: the Main Task module, the Secondary Taskmodule, the Linear Targeting Illumination Beam Task module, theArea-Image Capture Task module, the Application Events Manager module,the User Commands Table module, the Command Handler module, Plug-InController, and Plug-In Libraries and Configuration Files, all residingwithin the Application layer of the software architecture; the TasksManager module, the Events Dispatcher module, the Input/Output Managermodule, the User Commands Manager module, the Timer Subsystem module,the Input/Output Subsystem module and the Memory Control Subsystemmodule residing with the System Core (SCORE) layer of the softwarearchitecture; and the Linux Kernal module in operable communication withthe Plug-In Controller, the Linux File System module, and Device Driversmodules residing within the Linux Operating System (OS) layer of thesoftware architecture, and in operable communication with an external(host) Plug-In Development Platform via standard or proprietarycommunication interfaces;

FIG. 14A1 is a perspective view of the hand-supportable digital imagecapture and processing system of the first illustrative embodiment,shown operated according to a method of hand-held digital imaging forthe purpose of reading bar code symbols from a bar code symbol menu,involving the generation of a visible linear target illumination beamfrom the system, targeting a programming code symbol therewith, and thenilluminating the bar code symbol with wide-field illumination duringdigital imaging operations over a narrowly-confined active region in theFOV centered about the linear targeting beam;

FIG. 14A2 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system of the first illustrativeembodiment in FIG. 14A1, shown operated according to the method ofhand-held digital imaging used to read bar code symbols from a bar codesymbol menu, involving the steps of (i) generating a visible lineartarget illumination beam from the system, (ii) targeting aprogramming-type code symbol therewithin, and then (iii) illuminatingthe bar code symbol within a wide-area field of illumination duringdigital imaging operations over a narrowly-confined active region in theFOV centered about the linear targeting beam;

FIGS. 15A1 through 15A3, taken together, show a flow chart describingthe control process carried out within the countertop-supportabledigital image capture and processing system of the first illustrativeembodiment during its first hands-free (i.e. presentation/pass-through)method of digital imaging in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention, involving the use of its automatic object motiondetection and analysis subsystem and both of its snap-shot and video(imaging) modes of subsystem operation;

FIG. 15B is a graphical illustration describing thecountertop-supportable digital image capture and processing system ofthe present invention configured according to the control process ofFIGS. 15A1 through 15A3, and showing its IR-based object detection fieldautomatically sensing the presence of objects within the field of view(FOV) of the system, above a countertop surface;

FIG. 15C is a graphical illustration describing thecountertop-supportable digital image capture and processing system ofthe present invention configured according to the control process ofFIG. 15A, and showing its image formation and detection subsystemoperating in its video mode of operation for a first predetermined timeperiod;

FIG. 15D is a graphical illustration describing thecountertop-supportable digital image capture and processing system ofthe present invention configured according to the control process ofFIG. 15A, and showing its image formation and detection subsystemoperating in its snap-shot mode of operation for a first predeterminedtime period;

FIG. 16A is a flow chart describing the control process carried outwithin the countertop-supportable digital image capture and processingsystem of the first illustrative embodiment during its second hands-freemethod of digital imaging in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention, involving the use of its automatic object motiondetection and analysis subsystem and snap-shot imaging mode of subsystemoperation;

FIG. 16B is a graphical illustration describing thecountertop-supportable digital image capture and processing system ofthe present invention configured according to the control process ofFIG. 16A, and showing its IR-based object detection field automaticallysensing the presence of objects within the field of view (FOV) of thesystem, above a countertop surface;

FIG. 16C is a graphical illustration describing thecountertop-supportable digital image capture and processing system ofthe present invention configured according to the control process ofFIG. 16A, showing the projection of its linear object targetingillumination beam upon automatic detection of an object within its FOV;

FIG. 16D is a graphical illustration describing thecountertop-supportable digital image capture and processing system ofthe present invention configured according to the control process ofFIG. 16A, and showing its image formation and detection subsystemoperating in its snap-shot mode of operation for a first predeterminedtime period, to repeatedly attempt to read a bar code symbol within oneor more digital images captured during system operation;

FIGS. 17A1 and 17A2, taken together, shows a flow chart describing thecontrol process carried out within the countertop-supportable digitalimage capture and processing system of the first illustrative embodimentduring its third hands-free method of digital imaging in accordance withthe principles of the present invention, involving the use of itsautomatic object motion detection and analysis subsystem and videoimaging mode of subsystem operation;

FIG. 17B is a graphical illustration describing thecountertop-supportable digital image capture and processing system ofthe present invention configured according to the control process ofFIG. 17A, and showing its IR-based object detection field automaticallysensing the presence of objects within the field of view (FOV) of thesystem, above a countertop surface;

FIG. 17C is a graphical illustration describing thecountertop-supportable digital image capture and processing system ofthe present invention configured according to the control process ofFIG. 17A, and showing its image formation and detection subsystemoperating in its video mode of operation for a first predetermined timeperiod to repeatedly attempt to read a bar code symbol within one ormore digital images captured during system operation;

FIG. 18A is a flow chart describing the control process carried outwithin the hand-supportable digital image capture and processing systemof the first illustrative embodiment during its first hand-held methodof digital imaging in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention, involving the use of its automatic object motion detectionand analysis subsystem and snap-shot imaging mode of subsystemoperation;

FIG. 18B is a graphical illustration describing the hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system of the present inventionconfigured according to the control process of FIG. 18A, and showing itsIR-based object detection field automatically sensing the presence ofobjects within the field of view (FOV) of the system, above a countertopsurface;

FIG. 18C is a graphical illustration describing the hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system of the present inventionconfigured according to the control process of FIG. 18A, showing theprojection of its linear targeting illumination beam upon automaticdetection of an object within its FOV;

FIG. 18D is a graphical illustration describing the hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system of the present inventionconfigured according to the control process of FIG. 18A, and showing itsimage formation and detection subsystem operating in its snap-shot modeof operation for a first predetermined time period to repeatedly attemptto read a bar code symbol within one or more digital images capturedduring system operation;

FIGS. 19A1 through 19A2, taken together, show a flow chart describingthe control process carried out within the hand-supportable digitalimage capture and processing system of the first illustrative embodimentduring its second hand-held method of digital imaging in accordance withthe principles of the present invention, involving the use of itsautomatic object motion detection and analysis subsystem and videoimaging mode of subsystem operation;

FIG. 19B is a graphical illustration describing the hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system of the present inventionconfigured according to the control process of FIG. 19A, and showing itsIR-based object detection field automatically sensing the presence ofobjects within the field of view (FOV) of the system, above a countertopsurface;

FIG. 19C is a graphical illustration describing the hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system of the present inventionconfigured according to the control process of FIG. 19A, and showing itsimage formation and detection subsystem operating in its video mode ofoperation for a first predetermined time period to repeatedly attempt toread a bar code symbol within one or more digital images captured duringsystem operation;

FIG. 20A is a flow chart describing the control process carried outwithin the hand-supportable digital image capture and processing systemof the first illustrative embodiment during its third hand-held methodof digital imaging in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention, involving the use of its manually-actuatable trigger switchand snap-shot imaging mode of subsystem operation;

FIG. 20B is a graphical illustration describing the hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system of the present inventionconfigured according to the control process of FIG. 20A, and showing itstrigger switch being manually actuated (by an human operator) when anobject is present within the field of view (FOV) of the system, above acountertop surface;

FIG. 20C is a graphical illustration describing the hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system of the present inventionconfigured according to the control process of FIG. 20A, showing theprojection of its linear targeting illumination beam upon automaticdetection of an object within its FOV;

FIG. 20D is a graphical illustration describing the hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system of the present inventionconfigured according to the control process of FIG. 20A, and showing itsimage formation and detection subsystem operating in its snap-shot Modeof operation for a first predetermined time period to repeatedly attemptto read a bar code symbol within one or more digital images capturedduring system operation;

FIG. 21A1 through 21A2, taken together, show a flow chart describing thecontrol process carried out within the hand-supportable digital imagecapture and processing system of the first illustrative embodimentduring its fourth hand-held method of digital imaging in accordance withthe principles of the present invention, involving the use of itsmanually-actuatable trigger switch and video imaging mode of subsystemoperation;

FIG. 21B is a graphical illustration describing the hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system of the present inventionconfigured according to the control process of FIG. 21A, and showing itstrigger switch being actuated (by the human operator) when an object ispresent within the field of view (FOV) of the system, above a countertopsurface;

FIG. 21C is a graphical illustration describing the hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system of the present inventionconfigured according to the control process of FIG. 21A, and showing itsimage formation and detection subsystem operating in its video mode ofoperation for a first predetermined time period to repeatedly attempt toread a bar code symbol within one or more digital images captured duringsystem operation;

FIG. 22A is a flow chart describing the control process carried outwithin the hand-supportable digital image capture and processing systemof the first illustrative embodiment during its fifth hand-held methodof digital imaging in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention, involving the use of its manually-actuatable trigger switchand snap-shot imaging mode of subsystem operation;

FIG. 22B is a graphical illustration describing the hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system of the present inventionconfigured according to the control process of FIG. 22A, and showing itstrigger switch being manually actuated (by an human operator) when anobject is present within the field of view (FOV) of the system, above acountertop surface;

FIG. 22C is a graphical illustration describing the hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system of the present inventionconfigured according to the control process of FIG. 22A, showing theprojection of its linear targeting illumination beam upon automaticdetection of an object within its FOV;

FIG. 22D is a graphical illustration describing the hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system of the present inventionconfigured according to the control process of FIG. 22A, and showing itsimage formation and detection subsystem operating in its snap-shot modeof operation to capture a single image frame and attempt to read a barcode symbol therein during system operation;

FIG. 23A is a perspective view of a second illustrative embodiment ofthe hand-supportable digital image capture and processing system of thepresent invention, wherein its automatic objection motion detectionsubsystem projects an IR-based illumination beam within the FOV of thesystem during object detection mode of objection, and its LED-basedillumination subsystem employs a single array of LEDS, disposed near theupper edge portion of the imaging window, to project single wide-areafield of narrow-band illumination which extends throughout the entireFOV of the system, and in a manner which minimizes the annoyance of theoperator as well as others in the vicinity thereof during systemoperation;

FIG. 23B is a perspective cross-sectional view of the hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system of the second illustrativeembodiment of the present invention, illustrated in FIG. 23B, showingthe projection of its linear target illumination beam during uponautomatic detection of an object within the FOV of the system;

FIG. 23C is a perspective cross-sectional view of the hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system of the second illustrativeembodiment of the present invention, illustrated in FIG. 23B, showingthe projection of linear target illumination beam, with respect to theFOV of the system;

FIG. 23D is a cross-sectional view of the hand-supportable digital imagecapture and processing system of the second illustrative embodiment ofthe present invention, illustrated in FIG. 23B, showing the projectionof its single wide-area field of narrow-band illumination within the FOVof the system;

FIG. 23E is a perspective view of the hand-supportable digital imagecapture and processing system of the second illustrative embodiment ofthe present invention, shown with its front housing portion removed toreveal its imaging window and its single array of illumination LEDscovered by a pair of cylindrical lens elements;

FIG. 23F is a perspective view of the hand-supportable digital imagecapture and processing system of the second illustrative embodiment ofthe present invention, shown with its front housing portion and imagingwindow removed to reveal its single array of illumination LEDs mountedon the single PC board;

FIG. 23G is a perspective view of the PC board, and FOV folding mirrorssupported thereon, employed in the hand-supportable digital imagecapture and processing system of the second illustrative embodiment ofthe present invention, shown in FIGS. 23A through 23F;

FIG. 24 is a schematic block diagram representative of a system designfor the hand-supportable digital image capture and processing systemillustrated in FIGS. 23A through 23G, wherein the system design is showncomprising (1) an image formation and detection (i.e. camera) subsystemhaving image formation (camera) optics for producing a field of view(FOV) upon an object to be imaged and a CMOS or like area-type imagedetection array for detecting imaged light reflected off the objectduring illumination operations in an image capture mode in which atleast a plurality of rows of pixels on the image detection array areenabled, (2) an LED-based illumination subsystem employing wide-area LEDillumination arrays for producing a field of narrow-band wide-areaillumination within the FOV of the image formation and detectionsubsystem, which is reflected from the illuminated object andtransmitted through a narrow-band transmission-type optical filterrealized within the hand-supportable housing (e.g. using ared-wavelength high-pass reflecting window filter element disposed atthe light transmission aperture thereof and a low-pass filter before theimage sensor) is detected by the image sensor while all other componentsof ambient light are substantially rejected, (3) an linear targetingillumination subsystem for generating and projecting a linear(narrow-area) targeting illumination beam into the central portion ofthe FOV of the system, (4) an IR-based object motion and velocitydetection subsystem for producing an IR-based object detection fieldwithin the FOV of the image formation and detection subsystem, (5) anautomatic light exposure measurement and illumination control subsystemfor controlling the operation of the LED-based illumination subsystem,(6) an image capturing and buffering subsystem for capturing andbuffering 2-D images detected by the image formation and detectionsubsystem, (7) a digital image processing subsystem for processingimages captured and buffered by the image capturing and bufferingsubsystem and reading 1D and 2D bar code symbols represented, and (8) aninput/output subsystem, supporting a universal data communicationinterface subsystem, for outputting processed image data and the like toan external host system or other information receiving or respondingdevice, in which each subsystem component is integrated about (9) asystem control subsystem, as shown;

FIG. 25 is a schematic representation showing the software modulesassociated with the three-tier software architecture of the digitalimage capture and processing system of the second illustrativeembodiment, namely: the Main Task module, the Secondary Task module, theLinear Targeting Illumination Beam Task module, the Area-Image CaptureTask module, the Application Events Manager module, the User CommandsTable module, the Command Handler module, Plug-In Controller, andPlug-In Libraries and Configuration Files, all residing within theApplication layer of the software architecture; the Tasks Managermodule, the Events Dispatcher module, the Input/Output Manager module,the User Commands Manager module, the Timer Subsystem module, theInput/Output Subsystem module and the Memory Control Subsystem moduleresiding with the System Core (SCORE) layer of the softwarearchitecture; and the Linux Kernal module in operable communication withthe Plug-In Controller, the Linux File System module, and Device Driversmodules residing within the Linux Operating System (OS) layer of thesoftware architecture, and in operable communication with an external(host) Plug-In Development Platform via standard or proprietarycommunication interfaces;

FIG. 26A is a perspective view of a third illustrative embodiment of thehand-supportable digital image capture and processing system of thepresent invention, wherein its automatic objection motion detection andanalysis subsystem projects an IR-based illumination beam within the FOVof the system during object detection mode of objection, and, like thesecond illustrative embodiment shown in FIGS. 23A through 24, itsLED-based illumination subsystem also employs a single array of lightemitting diodes (LEDs) disposed near the upper edge portion of theimaging window, but with a prismatic lens structure integrated withinthe imaging window of the system so that illumination from the LEDs isfocused and projected into a single wide-area field of narrow-bandillumination which extends through the substantially entire FOV of thesystem, so as to illuminate objects located anywhere within the workingdistance of the system, while minimizing annoyance to the operator, aswell as others in the vicinity thereof during system operation;

FIG. 26B is an elevated front view of the hand-supportable digital imagecapture and processing system of the third illustrative embodiment ofthe present invention, illustrated in FIG. 26A;

FIG. 26C is an elevated side view of the hand-supportable digital imagecapture and processing system of the third illustrative embodiment ofthe present invention, illustrated in FIG. 26A;

FIG. 26D is an elevated rear view of the hand-supportable digital imagecapture and processing system of the third illustrative embodiment ofthe present invention, illustrated in FIG. 26A;

FIG. 26E is an elevated perspective view of the hand-supportable digitalimage capture and processing system of the third illustrative embodimentof the present invention, illustrated in FIG. 26A, showing an optionalbase extender unit affixed to the base portion of the system;

FIG. 26F is an elevated side view of the hand-supportable digital imagecapture and processing system of the third illustrative embodiment ofthe present invention, illustrated in FIG. 26E;

FIG. 27A is a first perspective exploded view of the hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system of the third illustrativeembodiment of the present invention, illustrated in FIGS. 26A through26E, and showing its PC board assembly arranged between the front andrear portions of the system housing, with the hinged base beingpivotally connected to the rear portion of the system housing by way ofan axle structure;

FIG. 27B is a second perspective/exploded view of the hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system of the third illustrativeembodiment of the present invention, illustrated in FIGS. 26A through26E;

FIG. 28A is a first perspective view of the hand-supportable digitalimage capture and processing system of the third illustrative embodimentof the present invention, illustrated in FIGS. 26A through 27B, shownwith its front housing portion removed from its rear housing portion, toreveal its PC board assembly;

FIG. 28B is a first perspective view of the hand-supportable digitalimage capture and processing system of the third illustrative embodimentof the present invention, illustrated in FIGS. 26A through 27B, shownwith its front housing portion removed from its rear housing portion, toreveal its PC board assembly;

FIG. 29A is a first perspective view of the PC board assembly of thepresent invention, removed from between its front and rear housingportions, and showing its optical component support assembly mounted onthe rear side of the PC board, on which the area-type image detectionarray is mounted between a pair of LED subarrays employed in the linearillumination targeting subsystem;

FIG. 29B is a second partially-cutaway perspective view of the PC boardassembly of the present invention, removed from between its front andrear housing portions, and showing its optical component supportassembly mounted on the rear side of the PC board, and supporting thepair of FOV folding mirrors employed in the image formation anddetection subsystem, the parabolic light collection mirror segmentemployed in the automatic exposure measurement and illumination controlsubsystem, and the beam folding mirrors employed in the linear targetingillumination subsystem of the present invention;

FIG. 29C is a third perspective view of the PC board assembly of thepresent invention, shown in FIGS. 29A and 29B, and illustrating (i) thegeneration and projection the linear targeting beam produced from lineartargeting illumination subsystem, and (ii) collection of light rays froma central portion of the FOV of the system, using the parabolic lightcollection mirror segment employed in the automatic exposure measurementand illumination control subsystem;

FIG. 30 is a fourth perspective, cross-sectional view of the PC boardassembly of the present invention, shown in FIGS. 29A, 29B and 29C, andshowing (i) the multiple optical elements used to construct the imageformation optics assembly of the image formation and detection subsystemof the present invention, as well as (ii) the multiple LEDs used toconstruct the illumination array of the illumination subsystem of thepresent invention, and the light shroud structure surrounding the LEDarray, to minimize stray illumination from entering the FOV of thesystem during operation;

FIG. 31A is a perspective view of the rear-surface of the PC boardassembly of the present invention, showing its rectangular-shaped lighttransmission aperture formed in the central portion of the PB board, andthe population of electronic components mounted on the rear surfacethereof;

FIG. 31B is a perspective, partially cut-away view of the front surfaceof the PC board assembly of FIG. 31A, showing in greater detail thearray of LEDs associated with the illumination subsystem, with its LEDlight shroud structure removed from about the array of LEDs, and the IRtransmitter and receiving diodes associated with the automatic objectdetection subsystem of the system;

FIG. 31C is a front perspective view of the LED light shroudingstructure shown removed from the PC board assembly of FIG. 31A;

FIG. 31D is a rear perspective view of the LED light shrouding structureshown removed from the PC board assembly of FIG. 31A;

FIG. 32A is a schematic block diagram representative of a system designfor the hand-supportable digital image capture and processing systemillustrated in FIGS. 26A through 31C, wherein the system design is showncomprising (1) an image formation and detection (i.e. camera) subsystemhaving image formation (camera) optics for producing a field of view(FOV) upon an object to be imaged and a CMOS or like area-type imagedetection array for detecting imaged light reflected off the objectduring illumination operations in an image capture mode in which atleast a plurality of rows of pixels on the image detection array areenabled, (2) an LED-based illumination subsystem employing a singlelinear array of LEDs for producing a field of narrow-band wide-areaillumination of substantially uniform intensity over the workingdistance of the FOV of the image formation and detection subsystem,which is reflected from the illuminated object and transmitted through anarrow-band transmission-type optical filter realized within thehand-supportable housing (e.g. using a red-wavelength high-passreflecting window filter element disposed at the light transmissionaperture thereof and a low-pass filter before the image sensor) isdetected by the image sensor while all other components of ambient lightare substantially rejected, (3) an linear targeting illuminationsubsystem for generating and projecting a linear (narrow-area) targetingillumination beam into the central portion of the FOV of the system, (4)an IR-based object motion detection and analysis subsystem for producingan IR-based object detection field within the FOV of the image formationand detection subsystem, (5) an automatic light exposure measurement andillumination control subsystem for controlling the operation of theLED-based illumination subsystem, (6) an image capturing and bufferingsubsystem for capturing and buffering 2-D images detected by the imageformation and detection subsystem, (7) a digital image processingsubsystem for processing images captured and buffered by the imagecapturing and buffering subsystem and reading 1D and/or 2D bar codesymbols represented therein, and (8) an input/output subsystem,supporting a multi-interface I/O subsystem, for outputting processedimage data and the like to an external host system or other informationreceiving or responding device, in which each subsystem component isintegrated about (9) a system control subsystem, as shown;

FIGS. 32B1 and 32B2 set forth a schematic block diagram representationof an exemplary implementation of the electronic and photonic aspects ofthe digital image capture and processing system of the thirdillustrative embodiment of the present invention, whose components aresupported on the PC board assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 32C is a schematic representation showing the software modulesassociated with the three-tier software architecture of the digitalimage capture and processing system of the third illustrativeembodiment, namely: the Main Task module, the Secondary Task module, theLinear Targeting Illumination Beam Task module, the Area-Image CaptureTask module, the Application Events Manager module, the User CommandsTable module, the Command Handler module, Plug-In Controller, andPlug-In Libraries and Configuration Files, all residing within theApplication layer of the software architecture; the Tasks Managermodule, the Events Dispatcher module, the Input/Output Manager module,the User Commands Manager module, the Timer Subsystem module, theInput/Output Subsystem module and the Memory Control Subsystem moduleresiding with the System Core (SCORE) layer of the softwarearchitecture; and the Linux Kernal module in operable communication withthe Plug-In Controller, the Linux File System module, and Device Driversmodules residing within the Linux Operating System (OS) layer of thesoftware architecture, and in operable communication with an external(host) Plug-In Development Platform via standard or proprietarycommunication interfaces;

FIG. 33A is a first perspective view of the rear side of the imagingwindow of the present invention installed within the area-type digitalimage capture and processing system of the third illustrativeembodiment, showing the rear surface of the integrated prismaticillumination lens which is used to focus illumination produced from asingle linear array of LEDs into a field (i.e. beam) of LED-basedillumination beam that uniformly illuminates the entire FOV of the imageformation and detection subsystem of the system, in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 33B is a second perspective view of the front side of the imagingwindow of the present invention installed within the area-type digitalimage capture and processing system of the third illustrativeembodiment, showing the front surface of the integrated prismaticillumination lens which is used to focus illumination produced from asingle linear array of LEDs into a field or beam of LED-basedillumination beam that uniformly illuminates the entire FOV of the imageformation and detection subsystem of the system, in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 33C1 is a cross-sectional partially cut-away view of the digitalimage capture and processing system of the third illustrativeembodiment, taken along lines 33C1-33C1 in FIG. 26A, showing severalLEDs transmitting illumination through an illustrative embodiment of theprismatic illumination lens component of the imaging window according tothe present invention, in a controlled manner so that the focused fieldof illumination substantially covers the entire FOV of the system but isnot objectionally projected into the eyes of consumers and/or operatorswho might happen to be present at the point of sale (POS);

FIG. 33C2 is a cross-sectional view of the prismatic lens componentintegrated within the upper edge portion of the imaging window of thepresent invention, employed in the digital image capture and processingsystem of the third illustrative embodiment, and showing the propagationof light rays from an LED in the linear LED array, and through theprismatic lens component, into the FOV of the system;

FIG. 33D is an elevated cross-sectional schematic view of the prismaticlens component depicted in FIG. 33C2, and linear array of LEDs employedin the table digital image capture and processing system of the thirdillustrative embodiment, graphically depicting the cross sectionaldimensions of the field of illumination that is produced within the FOV,with five different regions being marked at five marked distances fromthe imaging window (i.e. 50 mm, 75 mm, 100 mm, 125 mm, and 150 mm);

FIG. 33E is schematic representation of an elevated side view of theillumination subsystem employed in the system of the third illustrativeembodiment, graphically depicting five different regions of the field ofillumination produced from marked at five marked distances from theimaging window (i.e. 50 mm, 75 mm, 100 mm, 125 mm, and 150 mm);

FIG. 33F is schematic representation of an elevated front view of theillumination subsystem employed in the system of the third illustrativeembodiment, graphically depicting the cross-sectional dimensions of theillumination field (i.e. 106 mm×64 mm, 128 mm×76 mm, 152 mm×98 mm, 176mm×104 mm, and 200 mm×118 mm) produced at the five marked distances fromthe imaging window (i.e. 50 mm, 75 mm, 100 mm, 125 mm, and 150 mm,respectively);

FIG. 33G1 is a gray scale image of 1280 pixels by 768 pixels showing thespatial intensity profile of the field of illumination produced from theillumination system of the system at 50 mm from the imaging window, overan exposure duration of 0.5 milliseconds, wherein each pixel has anintensity value ranging from 0 to 255, and due to the illuminationdesign scheme of the illustrative embodiment, the center portion of theintensity profile has a larger intensity value than the edge portion;

FIG. 33G2 is a graphical representation of the horizontal cross sectionof the spatial intensity profile of FIG. 33G1, taken at the center ofthe FOV, and showing a drop off in spatial intensity when moving fromthe center of the FOV to its edge, and wherein “noise-like” structuresare gray scale values for the 1280 pixels in the grey scale image,whereas the solid smooth line is the curve fitted result of thefluctuation in grey scale image pixel values, showing the averageintensity value drop off from the center of the image, to its edge;

FIG. 33H1 is a gray scale image of 1280 pixels by 768 pixels showing thespatial intensity profile of the field of illumination produced from theillumination system of the system at 75 mm from the imaging window, overan exposure duration of 0.5 milliseconds, wherein each pixel has anintensity value ranging from 0 to 255, and due to the illuminationdesign scheme of the illustrative embodiment, the center portion of theintensity profile has a larger intensity value than the edge portion;

FIG. 33H2 is a graphical representation of the horizontal cross sectionof the spatial intensity profile of FIG. 33H1, taken at the center ofthe FOV, and showing a drop off in spatial intensity when moving fromthe center of the FOV to its edge, and wherein “noise-like” structuresare gray scale values for the 1280 pixels in the grey scale image,whereas the solid smooth line is the curve fitted result of thefluctuation in grey scale image pixel values, showing the averageintensity value drop off from the center of the image, to its edge;

FIG. 33I1 is a gray scale image of 1280 pixels by 768 pixels showing thespatial intensity profile of the field of illumination produced from theillumination system of the system at 100 mm from the imaging window,over an exposure duration of 0.5 milliseconds, wherein each pixel has anintensity value ranging from 0 to 255, and due to the illuminationdesign scheme of the illustrative embodiment, the center portion of theintensity profile has a larger intensity value than the edge portion;

FIG. 33I2 is a graphical representation of the horizontal cross sectionof the spatial intensity profile of FIG. 33I1, taken at the center ofthe FOV, and showing a drop off in spatial intensity when moving fromthe center of the FOV to its edge, and wherein “noise-like” structuresare gray scale values for the 1280 pixels in the grey scale image,whereas the solid smooth line is the curve fitted result of thefluctuation in grey scale image pixel values, showing the averageintensity value drop off from the center of the image, to its edge;

FIG. 33J1 is a gray scale image of 1280 pixels by 768 pixels showing thespatial intensity profile of the field of illumination produced from theillumination system of the system at 125 mm from the imaging window,over an exposure duration of 0.5 milliseconds, wherein each pixel has anintensity value ranging from 0 to 255, and due to the illuminationdesign scheme of the illustrative embodiment, the center portion of theintensity profile has a larger intensity value than the edge portion;

FIG. 33J2 is a graphical representation of the horizontal cross sectionof the spatial intensity profile of FIG. 33J1, taken at the center ofthe FOV, and showing a drop off in spatial intensity when moving fromthe center of the FOV to its edge, and wherein “noise-like” structuresare gray scale values for the 1280 pixels in the grey scale image,whereas the solid smooth line is the curve fitted result of thefluctuation in grey scale image pixel values, showing the averageintensity value drop off from the center of the image, to its edge;

FIG. 33K1 is a gray scale image of 1280 pixels by 768 pixels showing thespatial intensity profile of the field of illumination produced from theillumination system of the system at 50 mm from the imaging window, overan exposure duration of 0.5 milliseconds, wherein each pixel has anintensity value ranging from 0 to 255, and due to the illuminationdesign scheme of the illustrative embodiment, the center portion of theintensity profile has a larger intensity value than the edge portion;

FIG. 33K2 is a graphical representation of the horizontal cross sectionof the spatial intensity profile of FIG. 33K1, taken at the center ofthe FOV, and showing a drop off in spatial intensity when moving fromthe center of the FOV to its edge, and wherein “noise-like” structuresare gray scale values for the 1280 pixels in the grey scale image,whereas the solid smooth line is the curve fitted result of thefluctuation in grey scale image pixel values, showing the averageintensity value drop off from the center of the image, to its edge;

FIG. 34A is a cross-sectional view of the digital image capture andprocessing system of the third illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention, taken along line 34A-34A in FIG. 26B, showing the projectionof light rays from a first single LED in the linear LED illuminationarray, through the prismatic lens component of the imaging window, andout into the field of view (FOV) of the system, with the projected lightrays being maintained substantially beneath the plane of thelight-occluding wall surface surrounding the upper edge of the imagingwindow of the present invention, and disposed proximity to the proximatelens array, thereby significantly reducing the number of light raysentering the eyes of humans who might be present during operation of thesystem;

FIG. 34B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the digital imagecapture and processing system of the third illustrative embodiment ofthe present invention, taken along line 34A-34A in FIG. 26B, showing theprojection of light rays from the first single LED in the linear LEDillumination array, through the prismatic lens component of the imagingwindow, and out into the field of view (FOV) of the system, with theprojected light rays being maintained substantially beneath the plane ofthe light-occluding wall surface surrounding the upper edge of theimaging window of the present invention, thereby significantly reducingthe number of light rays entering the eyes of humans who might bepresent during operation of the system;

FIG. 34C is a cross-sectional view of the digital image capture andprocessing system of the third illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention, taken along line 34C-34C in FIG. 26B, showing the projectionof light rays from a second single LED in the linear LED illuminationarray, through the prismatic lens component of the imaging window, andout into the field of view (FOV) of the system, with the projected lightrays being maintained substantially beneath the plane of thelight-occluding wall surface surrounding the upper edge of the imagingwindow of the present invention, thereby significantly reducing thenumber of light rays entering the eyes of humans who might be presentduring operation of the system;

FIG. 35A is a cross-sectional side view of the digital image capture andprocessing system of the third illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention, taken along line 35A-35A in FIG. 26B, and showing thegeneration and projection of the linear visible targeting illuminationbeam from the system, in automatic response to the detection of anobject within the field of view (FOV) of the system;

FIG. 35B is a cross-sectional cut-away perspective view of the digitalimage capture and processing system of the third illustrative embodimentof the present invention, taken along line 35A-35A in FIG. 26B, andshowing the generation and projection of the linear visible illuminationtargeting beam produced from the system in automatic response to thedetection of an object within the field of view (FOV) of the system;

FIG. 36A is a perspective cross-sectional view of the digital imagecapture and processing system of the third illustrative embodiment ofthe present invention, illustrated in FIG. 26A, showing the folding ofthe FOV of the image formation and detection subsystem, its reflectionoff the first and second FOV folding mirrors mounted on the opticssupport structure on the PC board assembly, and the ultimate projectionof the folded FOV out through the imaging window of the system andtowards an object to be imaged, while the parabolic light collectionmirror collects light rays from a central portion of the FOV duringobject illumination and imaging operations, and focuses these light raysonto a photodetector of the automatic exposure measurement andillumination control subsystem;

FIG. 36B is second perspective partially-cut away view of the digitalimage capture and processing system of the third illustrative embodimentof the present invention, illustrated in FIG. 26A, showing the paraboliclight collection mirror collecting light rays from the central portionof the FOV, and focusing these collected light rays onto thephotodetector of the automatic exposure measurement and illuminationcontrol subsystem, mounted on the rear surface of the PC board assembly;

FIG. 36C is a third perspective partially-cut away view of the digitalimage capture and processing system of the third illustrative embodimentof the present invention, illustrated in FIG. 26A, showing the paraboliclight collection mirror collecting light rays from the central portionof the FOV, and focusing these collected light rays onto thephotodetector on the rear surface of the PC board assembly, duringobject illumination and imaging operations;

FIG. 36D is an elevated side cross-sectional view of the digital imagecapture and processing system of the second illustrative embodiment,showing the parabolic surface characteristics of its parabolic lightreflecting/collecting mirror and the location of the photodiodeassociated with the automatic light exposure measurement andillumination control subsystem, at the focal point of the paraboliclight reflecting/collecting mirror;

FIG. 37 is a perspective partially-cut away view of the digital imagecapture and processing system of the third illustrative embodiment ofthe present invention, illustrated in FIG. 26A, showing acentrally-disposed optically-translucent region surrounding an aperturethrough which the manually-actuated trigger switch is installed, andbeing illuminated by an LED-driven optical-waveguide assembly that ismounted about the upper edge of the PC board assembly and beneath theupper edge regions of the front and rear portions of the system housing,when assembled together with the PC board assembly disposedtherebetween;

FIG. 38A is a perspective view of the rear side of the LED-drivenoptical-waveguide assembly illustrated in FIG. 37, shown removed and inisolation from the upper edge of the PC board assembly of the presentinvention, and having upper and lower light coupling elements arrangedin optical communication with the central illumination region of theoptical wave-guide assembly, and the sound-wave ports disposed in theside edge portion of the an LED-driven optical-waveguide assembly;

FIG. 38B is a perspective view of the top side of the LED-drivenoptical-waveguide assembly illustrated in FIGS. 37 and 38A, shownremoved and in isolation from the upper edge of the PC board assembly ofthe present invention, and having upper and lower light couplingelements arranged in optical communication with the central illuminationregion of the optical wave-guide assembly, and the sound-wave portsdisposed in the side edge portion of the an LED-driven optical-waveguideassembly;

FIG. 39A is a cross-sectional, partially-cutaway view the digital imagecapture and processing system of the third illustrative embodiment ofthe present invention, illustrated in FIG. 26A, showing the upper andlower light coupling elements arranged in optical communication withLEDs mounted on the PC board assembly, and conducting the flow ofoptical illumination from the LEDs, through the optical waveguide, andto the centrally-disposed optically-translucent region surrounding themanually-actuated trigger switch, during system operation;

FIG. 39B is an enlarged cross-sectional, partially cut-away view of thedigital image capture and processing system illustrated in FIG. 26A,showing the upper and lower light coupling elements arranged in opticalcommunication with LEDs mounted on the PC board assembly, and conductingthe flow of optical illumination from the LEDs, through the opticalwaveguide, and to the centrally-disposed optically-translucent regionsurrounding the manually-actuated trigger switch, during systemoperation;

FIG. 39C is a perspective, partially cut-away view of the digital imagecapture and processing system illustrated in FIG. 26A, showing lowerlight coupling element arranged in optical communication with its LEDmounted on the PC board assembly, and conducting the flow of opticalillumination from the LED, through the optical waveguide, and to thecentrally-disposed optically-translucent region surrounding themanually-actuated trigger switch, during system operation;

FIG. 39D is an cross-sectional, partially cut-away view of the digitalimage capture and processing system illustrated in FIG. 26A, showing theupper and lower light coupling elements arranged in opticalcommunication with LEDs mounted on the PB board assembly, and conductingthe flow of optical illumination from the LEDs, through the opticalwaveguide, and to the centrally-disposed optically-translucent regionsurrounding the manually-actuated trigger switch, during systemoperation;

FIG. 40 is a perspective, partially-cutaway view of the PC boardassembly employed in the digital image capture and processing systemillustrated in FIG. 26A, shown removed from its system housing andmounted on the upper front edge of the PC board, an electro-acoustictransducer for generating system event sounds (e.g. “Good Read” beeps),a linear LED array for generating a wide-area illumination field withinthe FOV, and a pair of IR transmitting and receiving diodes fordetecting objects within the FOV;

FIG. 41A is a perspective, partially-cutaway view of the view of thedigital image capture and processing system illustrated in FIG. 26A,showing the acoustic-waveguide structure of the present invention,coupling sonic energy, produced from its electro-acoustic transducer, tothe sound ports formed in the LED-driven optical-waveguide assembly ofthe present invention;

FIG. 41B is a second perspective, partially-cutaway view of the view ofthe digital image capture and processing system illustrated in FIG. 26A,showing, from a different perspective, the acoustic-waveguide structureof the present invention, coupling sonic energy, produced from itselectro-acoustic transducer, to the sound ports formed in the LED-drivenoptical-waveguide assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 42A is a first perspective, cross-sectional view of theacoustic-waveguide structure of the present invention employed in thedigital image capture and processing system of the third illustrativeembodiment, shown in FIGS. 41A and 41B;

FIG. 42B is a second perspective view of the acoustic-waveguidestructure of the present invention employed in the digital image captureand processing system of the third illustrative embodiment, shown inFIG. 41A;

FIG. 43A is a schematic diagram for the multi-interface I/O subsystem ofthe present invention employed in the third illustrative embodiment ofthe digital image capture and processing system of the presentinvention, shown comprising: a standard (e.g. RJ-45 10 pin) connector(with EAS support) for connecting, via a flexible communication cable,to a host system or device supporting at least one of the followingcommunication interfaces (i) RS-232 with an AC power adapter, (ii) akeyboard wedge (KBW) with an AC power adapter, (iii) RS-485 (IBM) withan AC power adapter, and (iv) USB with an AC adapter required forpowering imaging modes (i.e. driving illumination LEDs);

FIGS. 43B1 and 43B2 set forth a schematic diagram for the interfaceswitching module employed in the multi-interface I/O subsystem of FIG.43A;

FIGS. 43C1 and 43C2 set forth a flow chart describing the automaticinterface detection process carried out within the multi-interface I/Osubsystem of FIG. 43A, employed in the third illustrative embodiment ofthe digital image capture and processing system of the presentinvention;

FIG. 43D is a schematic representation showing (i) the systemconfiguration parameter (SCPs) settings maintained in system memory ofthe digital image capture and processing system of the presentinvention, for the different multiple communication interfaces (CIs),e.g. RS-232, KBW, USB and IBM, supported by the multiple-interface I/Osubsystem thereof, and (ii) how these multiple system configurationparameters (SCPs) for a given communication interface (CI) areautomatically programmed without reading programming-type codes when acommunication interface cable is installed between themultiple-interface I/O subsystem of the digital image capture andprocessing system and the host system to which the digital image captureand processing system is being interfaced;

FIG. 44 shows a flow chart describing the primary steps involved incarrying out a method of automatically programming multiple systemconfiguration parameters (SCPs) within the system memory of the digitalimage capture and processing system of present invention, withoutreading programming-type codes;

FIG. 45 shows a flow chart describing the primary steps involved incarrying out a method of unlocking restricted features embodied withinthe digital image capture and processing system of present invention ofthe third illustrative embodiment, by reading feature-unlockingprogramming bar code symbols;

FIG. 46A is a front perspective view of the fourth illustrativeembodiment of the hand-supportable digital image capture and processingsystem of the present invention, incorporating automatic gyroscopicimage stabilization capabilities integrated within the image formationand detection subsystem, so as to enable the formation and detection ofcrystal clear images in the presence of environments characterized byhand jitter, camera platform vibration, and the like;

FIG. 46B is a rear perspective cross-sectional view of the fourthillustrative embodiment of the hand-supportable digital image captureand processing system of the present invention, showing its gyroscopicimage stabilization apparatus integrated about the optical components ofthe image formation and detection subsystem.

FIG. 46C is a rear perspective view of the fourth illustrativeembodiment of the hand-supportable digital image capture and processingsystem of the present invention, shown with its front and rear housingportions removed so as to reveal the PC board assembly and thegyroscopic image stabilization apparatus integrated about the opticalcomponents of the image formation and detection subsystem;

FIG. 46D is a top front perspective view of the PC board assembly andthe gyroscopic image stabilization apparatus integrated about theoptical components of the image formation and detection subsystememployed in the fourth illustrative embodiment of the hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system of the present inventionshown in FIG. 46A;

FIG. 46E is a top side perspective view of the PC board assembly showingin greater detail, the gyroscopic image stabilization apparatusincluding (i) a dual-axis gyroscopic sensor (or accelerometer) mountedon the PC board, (ii) a first set of miniature motors for adjusting thehorizontal and/or vertical position of a first floating elementsupporting the FOV lens, and (iii) a second set of miniature motors foradjusting the horizontal and/or vertical position of a second floatingelement supporting a FOV folding mirror;

FIG. 47 is a schematic block diagram representative of the fourthillustrative embodiment of the hand-supportable digital image captureand processing system shown in FIGS. 46A through 46E;

FIG. 48A is a perspective view of the digital image capture andprocessing system of either the second or third illustrativeembodiments, shown supported on a POS countertop surface andilluminating an object present within the FOV of the system so thatillumination rays from its LED illumination array are contained below aspatially-defined “illumination ceiling”, above which extends the fieldof view of the human vision system of the operator or consumers at thePOS station, thereby preventing or reducing annoyance of suchillumination rays during system operation; and

FIG. 48B is an elevated side view of the hand-supportable digital imagecapture and processing system of FIG. 48A, showing an object within theFOV of the system being automatically illuminated so that illuminationrays from its single linear LED illumination array are contained below aspatially-defined illumination ceiling, above which the field of view ofthe human vision system of the operator or consumers extends at the POSstation, thereby preventing or reducing annoyance of such illuminationrays during system operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENTINVENTION

Referring to the figures in the accompanying Drawings, the variousillustrative embodiments of the hand-supportable andcountertop-supportable digital image capture and processing systems ofthe present invention will be described in great detail, wherein likeelements will be indicated using like reference numerals.

Hand-Supportable/Countertop-Supportable Digital Image Capture andProcessing System of the First Illustrative Embodiment of the PresentInvention

Referring to FIGS. 1A through 1F, thehand-supportable/countertop-supportable digital image capture andprocessing system of the first illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention 1 is shown in detail comprising a hand-supportable andcountertop-supportable housing 2 having a rear housing portion 2 a and afront housing portion 2B that is provided with a light transmission(i.e. imaging) window 3. As best shown, digital image capture andprocessing system further comprises: a foot-like structure 4 mounted tothe rear housing portion 2A which provides a means to support the systemin a presentation and/or pass-through mode of system operation; atrigger switch structure 5 provided on the top surface of the housing,for generating a triggering event (signal) within the system; a windowaperture 6 formed in the front housing portion 2B; an LED-basedindicator 7 mounted on the top of the housing; a single PC board 8supported between the front and rear housing portions 2B and 2A forsupporting (i) electronic components (e.g. microprocessor, RAM, etc),electro-optical components (e.g. LEDs, IR diodes and photosensors) andoptical components (e.g. cylindrical lens arrays over the array of lightemitting diodes LEDs) on the front surface of the PC board, and also(ii) electro-optical components (e.g. area-type image detection array,and photo-detector) and electronic circuitry (e.g. drivers etc)collectively indicated by reference numeral 9, mounted on the front andrear surfaces of the PC board 8; and a cable connector 10 mounted on therear housing portion 2A, or alternative an RF antenna structure 11mounted on the rear housing portion for supporting wireless 2-wayRF-based data packet communications with a base station 12, or otherIP-based network connectivity device (e.g. wireless switch) which isconnected to a host system or device 13.

In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the form factor ofthe hand-supportable/countertop-supportable housing of the illustrativeembodiments might be different. In yet other alternative embodiments,the housing need not be hand-supportable or countertop-supportable, asdisclosed herein, but rather might be designed for stationary orpermanent installation above a desktop or countertop surface, are apoint-of-sale (POS) station, or a commercial or industrial environmentrequiring digital imaging for one or more particular applications.

Schematic Block Functional Diagram as System Design Model for theDigital Image Capture and Processing System of the Present Invention

As shown in the system design model of FIG. 2, the digital imaging-basedbar code symbol reading system 1 of the illustrative embodimentcomprises: an IR-based object motion and analysis subsystem 20 whichincludes the ability to detect object presence, range, and velocity ofobjects within the FOV of the system; an area-type digital imageformation and detection (i.e. camera) subsystem 21 having wide-area modeof image capture over its field of view (FOV); an object targetingsubsystem 31 for generating a linear or narrow-area object targetingillumination beam 70 within the FOV of the system; a multi-modeLED-based illumination subsystem 22 having a near-field LED array 23Afor producing a field of wide-area narrow-band illumination over a nearfield region of the FOV of the system, and a far-field LED array 23B forproducing a field of wide-area narrow-band illumination over a far fieldregion of the FOV of the system; an automatic light exposure measurementand illumination control subsystem 24; an image capturing and bufferingsubsystem 25; a digital image processing subsystem 26 supporting variousmodes of digital image-processing based bar code symbol reading, OCR,text recognition, hand-writing recognition, and human intelligenceextraction and acquisition; an Input/Output Subsystem 27 with automaticmulti-interface detection and implementation capabilities 28;manually-actuatable trigger switch 5 for sending user-originated controlactivation signals to the device; a system configuration parameter table29 supported in system memory; and a system control subsystem 30integrated with each of the above-described subsystems, as shown.

In general, the primary function of the object motion detection andanalysis subsystem 20 is to automatically produce an object detectionfield 32 within the FOV 33 of the image formation and detectionsubsystem 21, detect the presence of an object within predeterminedregions of the object detection field 32, as well as motion and velocityinformation about the object therewithin, and generate control signalswhich are supplied to the system control subsystem 30 for indicatingwhen and where an object is detected within the object detection fieldof the system.

In the first illustrative embodiment, the image formation and detection(i.e. camera) subsystem 21 includes image formation (camera) optics 34for providing a field of view (FOV) 33 upon an object to be imaged and aCMOS area-type image detection array 35 for detecting imaged lightreflected off the object during illumination and imageacquisition/capture operations.

In the first illustrative embodiment, the primary function of themulti-mode LED-based illumination subsystem 22 is to produce anear-field wide-area illumination field 36 from the near field LED array23A when an object is automatically detected within the near-fieldportion of the FOV, and a far-field wide-area illumination field 37 fromthe far-field LED array 23B when an object is detected within thefar-field portion of the FOV. Notably, each such field of illuminationhas a narrow optical-bandwidth and is spatially confined within the FOVof the image formation and detection subsystem 21 during near and farfield modes of illumination and imaging, respectively. This arrangementis designed to ensure that only narrow-band illumination transmittedfrom the illumination subsystem 22, and reflected from the illuminatedobject, is ultimately transmitted through a narrow-bandtransmission-type optical filter subsystem 40 within the system andreaches the CMOS area-type image detection array 35 for detection andprocessing, whereas all other components of ambient light collected bythe light collection optics are substantially rejected at the imagedetection array 35, thereby providing improved SNR thereat, thusimproving the performance of the system. In the illustrative embodiment,the narrow-band transmission-type optical filter subsystem 40 isrealized by (1) high-pass (i.e. red-wavelength reflecting) filterelement 40A embodied within at the imaging window 3, and (2) low-passfilter element 40B mounted either before the CMOS area-type imagedetection array 35 or anywhere after beyond the high-pass filter element40A, including being realized as a dichroic mirror film supported on atleast one of the FOV folding mirrors 74 and 75. FIG. 5E3 sets forth theresulting composite transmission characteristics of the narrow-bandtransmission spectral filter subsystem 40, plotted against the spectralcharacteristics of the emission from the LED illumination arraysemployed in the LED-based illumination subsystem 22.

The primary function of the automatic light exposure measurement andillumination control subsystem 24 is two fold: (1) to measure, inreal-time, the power density [joules/cm] of photonic energy (i.e. light)collected by the optics of the system at about its image detection array35, and generate auto-exposure control signals indicating the amount ofexposure required for good image formation and detection; and (2) incombination with illumination array selection control signal provided bythe system control subsystem 30, automatically drive and control theoutput power of selected LED arrays 23A and 23B in the illuminationsubsystem 22, so that objects within the FOV of the system are optimallyexposed to LED-based illumination and optimal images are formed anddetected at the image detection array 35.

The primary function of the image capturing and buffering subsystem 25is to (1) detect the entire 2-D image focused onto the 2D imagedetection array 35 by the image formation optics 34 of the system, (2)generate a frame of digital pixel data for either a selected region ofinterest of the captured image frame, or for the entire detected image,and then (3) buffer each frame of image data as it is captured. Notably,in the illustrative embodiment, a single 2D image frame (31) is capturedduring each image capture and processing cycle, or during a particularstage of a processing cycle, so as to eliminate the problems associatedwith image frame overwriting, and synchronization of image capture anddecoding processes, as addressed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,932,862 and5,942,741 assigned to Welch Allyn, and incorporated herein by reference.

The primary function of the digital image processing subsystem 26 is toprocess digital images that have been captured and buffered by the imagecapturing and buffering subsystem 25, during both far-field andnear-field modes of illumination and operation. Such image processingoperation includes image-based bar code decoding methods described indetail hereinafter and in U.S. Pat. No. 7,128,266, incorporated hereinby reference.

The primary function of the input/output subsystem 27 is to supportuniversal, standard and/or proprietary data communication interfaceswith external host systems and devices, and output processed image dataand the like to such external host systems or devices by way of suchinterfaces. Examples of such interfaces, and technology for implementingthe same, are given in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,619,549 and 6,619,549,incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The primary function of the System Control Subsystem is to provide somepredetermined degree of control, coordination and/or managementsignaling services to each subsystem component integrated within thesystem, as shown. While this subsystem can be implemented by aprogrammed microprocessor, in the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention, this subsystem is implemented by the three-tier softwarearchitecture supported on microcomputing platform shown in FIGS. 3 and13, and described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,128,266, and elsewhere hereinafter.

The primary function of the manually-activatable trigger switch 5integrated with the hand-supportable/countertop-supportable housing isto enable the user to generate a control activation signal (i.e. triggerevent signal) upon manually depressing the same (i.e. causing a triggerevent), and to provide this control activation signal to the systemcontrol subsystem for use in carrying out its complex system andsubsystem control operations, described in detail herein.

The primary function of the system configuration parameter table 29 insystem memory is to store (in non-volatile/persistent memory) a set ofsystem configuration and control parameters (i.e. SCPs) for each of theavailable features and functionalities, and programmable modes of systemoperation supported in any particular embodiment of the presentinvention, and which can be automatically read and used by the systemcontrol subsystem 30 as required during its complex operations. Notably,such SCPs can be dynamically managed as taught in great detail incopending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/640,814 filed Dec. 18,2006, incorporated herein by reference.

The detailed structure and function of each subsystem will now bedescribed in detail above.

Specification of the System Implementation Model for the Digital ImageCapture and Processing System of the Present Invention

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a system implementation for thehand-supportable Digital Image Capture and Processing System illustratedin FIGS. 1A through 1F. As shown in this system implementation, thesingle PC board 8, supports a number of components including: a highresolution (e.g. 1280×1024 7-bit 6 micron pixel size) CMOS imagedetection array 35 with randomly accessible region of interest (ROI)window capabilities, and realizing electronic functions performed by theimage formation and detection subsystem; a computing platform 45including (i) a 64-Bit microprocessor 46, (ii) an expandable Flash ROMmemory 47, (iii) SDRAM 48, (iv) an FPGA FIFO 49 configured to controlthe camera timings and drive an image acquisition process, (v) a powermanagement module 50 for the memory control unit (MCU), and (vi) a pairof UARTs 51 (one for an IRDA port and one for a JTAG port); interfacecircuitry 52 for realizing the functions performed by the I/O subsystem;and an IR-based object motion detection and analysis circuitry 53 forrealizing subsystem 20. The I/O interface circuitry 52 provides thehardware data communication interfaces for the system to communicatewith systems, including host systems, located external to the imagecapture and processing system of the present invention. The interfacesimplemented in system of the present invention will typically includeRS232, keyboard wedge (KBW), RS-485 (IBM), and/or USB, or somecombination of the above, as well as others required or demanded by theparticular applications at hand. An exemplary universal interfacesystem, which can be supported within the system of the presentinvention, is taught in Applicant's prior U.S. Pat. No. 6,619,549,incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

As shown in FIG. 3, CMOS area-type image detection array 35 employed inthe digital image capture and processing system hereof is mounted on asemiconductor-based digital camera sensor IC 55, which is operablyconnected to microprocessor 46 through the FPGA-implemented FIFO 49 anda system bus. As shown, SDRAM 48 is also operably connected to themicroprocessor 46 by way of the system bus, thereby enabling the mappingof pixel data captured by the CMOS image detection array 35 into theSDRAM 48 under the control of the direct memory access (DMA) modulewithin the microprocessor 46.

During image acquisition operations, the image pixels are sequentiallyread out of the image detection array 35. Although one may choose toread column-wise or row-wise for some CMOS image sensors, without lossof generality, the row-by-row read out of the data is preferred. Thepixel image data set is arranged in the SDRAM 48 sequentially, startingat address OXAOEC0000. To randomly access any pixel in the SDRAM is astraightforward matter: the pixel at row y ¼ column x located is ataddress (OXAOEC0000+y×1280+x). As each image frame always has a framestart signal out of the image detection array 35, that signal can beused to start the DMA process at address OXAOEC0000, and the address iscontinuously incremented for the rest of the frame. But the reading ofeach image frame is started at address OXAOEC0000 to avoid anymisalignment of data. Notably, however, if the microprocessor 46 hasprogrammed the CMOS image detection array 35 to have a ROI window, thenthe starting address will be modified to (OXAOEC0000+1280×R₁), where R₁is the row number of the top left corner of the ROI. Further detailsregarding memory access are described in Applicant's prior U.S. Pat. No.7,128,266, incorporated herein by reference.

Specification of the Multi-Mode LED-Based Illumination SubsystemEmployed in the Hand-Supportable Digital Image Capture and ProcessingSystem of the Present Invention

In the illustrative embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, 4Hand 4I, the multi-mode illumination subsystem 22 includes twospatially-separated, independently-controlled linear LED-basedillumination arrays 23A and 23B. As shown, these linear LED illuminationarrays are mounted in the upper and lower positions on the single PCboard 8, about the light transmission aperture 60 centrally formed inthe PC board, as shown. Each linear LED-based illumination array 23A and23B is designed to illuminate a different portion of the FOV of thesystem during different modes of operation. The first LED-basedillumination array 23A is designed to illuminate the near-field portionof the field of view of the system during the near-field illuminationmode of the multi-mode illumination subsystem 22. In contrast, thesecond LED-based illumination array 23B is designed to illuminate thefar-field portion of the field of view of the system far-fieldillumination mode of the multi-mode illumination subsystem 22.

As shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4E and 4F, the near-field illuminationarray 23A comprises a linear array of LED light sources 62A through 62Nmounted on the top portion of the light transmission aperture 60 asshown. Many of these LEDs are positioned beneath a pair refractive-typeillumination focusing lens elements 63A and 63B integrated within theimaging window panel 3. Also, some of these LEDs can be provided withspherical (i.e. plano-convex) lenses and some with flat-tops so as toproduce a resulting field of illumination in the near field region whichhas a substantially uniform spatial intensity thereover. During thenear-field (wide-area) image capture mode of the image formation anddetection subsystem 21, the near-field wide-area illumination array 23Aproduces a near-field wide-area illumination field 36 of narrowoptical-bandwidth within the near-field portion of the FOV of thesystem, so as to illuminate object(s) residing therein during objectillumination and imaging operations.

As shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4E and 4F, the far-field illuminationarray 23B comprises a linear array of LED light sources 62A through 62Nmounted on the bottom portion of the light transmission aperture 60 asshown. Many of these LEDs are positioned beneath a pair refractive-typeillumination focusing lens elements 63C and 63D integrated within theimaging window panel 3. Also, some of these LEDs can be provided withspherical (i.e. plano-convex) lenses and some with flat-tops so as toproduce a resulting field of illumination in the far field region whichhas a substantially uniform spatial intensity thereover. During thefar-field (wide-area) image capture mode of the image formation anddetection subsystem 21, the far-field wide-area illumination array 23Aproduces a far-field wide-area illumination field 36 of narrowoptical-bandwidth within the near-field portion of the FOV of thesystem, so as to illuminate object(s) residing therein during objectillumination and imaging operations.

As shown in FIG. 4D, illumination focusing lenses 63A and 63B integratedin the upper portion of the imaging window panel 3, illuminationfocusing lenses 63C and 63D integrated in the bottom portion of theimaging window panel 3, are preferably realized within a molded opticalplastic imaging window structure having integrated lenses, simplifyinglens/LED alignment, and cost of manufacture.

During system operation, the far-field illumination mode of themulti-mode illumination subsystem 22 is automatically activated inresponse to detecting that an object resides within the far-fieldportion of the FOV by the IR object motion detection and analysissubsystem. In response thereto, the multi-mode illumination subsystem 22drives the far-field illumination array 23B to illuminate the far-fieldportion of the FOV, as shown in FIG. 4H. Similarly, the near-fieldillumination mode of the multi-mode illumination subsystem 22 isautomatically activated in response to detecting that an object resideswithin the near-field portion of the FOV by the IR object motiondetection and analysis subsystem. In response thereto, the multi-modeillumination subsystem 22 drives the near-field illumination array 23Ato illuminate the near-field portion of the FOV, as shown in FIG. 4I.

In general, the multi-mode illumination subsystem 22 is designed tocover the entire optical field of view (FOV) of the digital imagecapture and processing system with sufficient illumination to generatehigh-contrast images of bar codes located at both short and longdistances from the imaging window.

As shown in FIGS. 4H and 4I, the multi-mode illumination subsystem 22transmits visible narrow-band illumination through imaging window 3 andinto the FOV of the image formation optics of the image formation anddetection subsystem 21. Light rays reflected and scattered from theilluminated object (typically bearing a code symbol structure) aretransmitted through the high-pass and low-pass optical filters 40A, 40Bof the narrow-band optical filtering system 40, and ultimately focusedonto the CMOS image detection array 35 to form of a focused detected 2Dimage thereupon, while all other components of ambient light aresubstantially rejected before reaching image detection at the imagedetection array.

Notably, in the illustrative embodiment, the red-wavelength reflectinghigh-pass optical filter element 40A is embodied within the imagingwindow panel 3, whereas the low-pass optical filter element 40B isdisposed before the image detection array 35 either disposed among thefocusing lens elements of the image formation optics 34, or realized asa dichroic surface on one of the FOV folding mirrors 74 and 75. Thisforms the integrated narrow-band optical filter subsystem 40 whichensures that the object within the FOV is imaged at the image detectionarray 35 using only spectral components within the narrow-band ofillumination produced from the illumination subsystem 22, while allother components of ambient light outside this narrow range (e.g. 15 nm)are substantially rejected.

Specification of the Digital Image Formation and Detection (i.e. IFD orCamera) Subsystem During its Wide-Area Mode of Digital Image Formationand Detection, Supported by Near and Far Fields of Narrow-Band Wide-AreaIllumination

As shown in FIGS. 5A through 5G2 and 6A through 6C, the digital imageformation and detection subsystem 21 of the illustrative embodiment hasa wide-area 2D image capture mode of operation where eithersubstantially all or a selected region of pixels in its CMOS imagedetection array 35 are enabled. However, the image formation anddetection subsystem 21 can also be easily programmed to support othermodes of image capture, namely: (i) a narrow-area image capture mode inwhich only a few central rows of pixels about the center of the imagedetection array are enabled, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,128,266 andU.S. application Ser. No. 10/989,220, and incorporated herein byreference, and (ii) a wide-area image capture mode in which apredetermined region of interest (ROI) on the CMOS image sensing arrayis visibly marked as being a region in which its pixel data will becropped and processed for reading information graphically encoded withinthe ROI region of captured images, as disclosed in U.S. application Ser.No. 10/989,220 supra.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the CMOS image detection array 35 is equipped withimage formation optics 34 which provides the image detection array 35with a field of view (FOV) 33 on objects to be illuminated and imaged.As shown in FIGS. 5A and 8C, the CMOS image detection array 35 ismounted on the PC board and surrounded by a “light-box” housing that ismounted over the CMOS image detection array chip (i.e. 2D CMOS imagesensor chip on the PC board) 56. As shown, the a “light-box” housingsupports FOV forming optics 34 which are aligned along the optical axispassing through the 2D image detection array, orthogonal to the imagedetection plane thereof, and residing within the surface of the 2D CMOSimage sensor chip. Preferrably, the light-box housing 73 is fabricatedfrom plastic or other suitable material, and its hollow interior volumeis optically absorbing (e.g. with light absorbing coatings) to minimizelight reflections therewithin during image formation and detection. Asbest shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B and 8H, the light box housing 73 can beformed as part of a larger optical component support (OCS) structure 78,designed for supporting the first FOV folding mirror 74 which works inconjunction with the second FOV mirror 75. The first FOV mirror 74 issupported, on a first support surface 76 in the OCS assembly, whereasthe second FOV mirror 75 is supported on an opposing support surface 77in the OCS structure 78.

FIG. 5A clearly illustrates the geometrical relationship among theprimary optical and electro-optical components maintained within the OCSstructure 78, including the parabolic light collecting mirror 79supported on surface 80 adjacent FOV folding mirrors 74 and 75, forpurposes of collecting light rays from a central portion of the FOV anddirecting the focused light energy onto an avalanche-type photodiode 81(as part of the automatic exposure measurement and illumination controlsubsystem) mounted on the PC board, adjacent CMOS image sensor chip 56,as clearly illustrated in FIG. 9C.

In FIGS. 5B and 5C, the hand-supportable digital image capture andprocessing system of the first illustrative embodiment is shown with therear portion of the housing removed. Such views clearly reveal (i) themolded OCS housing structure 78 supporting the FOV folding mirrors 74and 75 of the IFD subsystem, and narrow-band pass optical filteringstructure 40A and 40B mounted over the rear portion of the central lighttransmission aperture formed in the PC board/optical bench 8, as well as(ii) the illumination sources 83A and 83B, linear aperture stop optics84A and 84B, and cylindrical beam folding mirrors 85A and 85B associatedwith the linear target illumination subsystem 31 which are mounted aboutthe area-type image detection array 35 of the image formation anddetection subsystem 21.

Specification of the Narrow-Band Optical Filter Subsystem Integratedwithin the Housing of the Digital Image Capture and Processing System ofthe Present Invention

As shown in FIGS. 5D through 5E3, the housing of the digital imagecapture and processing system of the present invention has integratedwithin its housing, narrow-band optical filter subsystem 40 fortransmitting substantially only the very narrow band of wavelengths(e.g. 620-700 nanometers) of visible illumination produced from thenarrow-band multi-mode illumination subsystem 22, and rejecting allother optical wavelengths outside this narrow optical band howevergenerated (i.e. ambient light sources). As shown, narrow-band opticalfilter subsystem 40 comprises: (i) high-pass (i.e. red-wavelengthreflecting) optical filter element 40A embodied within the plasticimaging window; and (ii) low-pass optical filter element 40B disposedbefore the CMOS image detection array 35. as described above.Alternatively, the high-pass (i.e. red-wavelength reflecting) opticalfilter element 40A can be embodied as a dichroic film applied to thesurface of one of its FOV folding mirrors 74 or 75 employed in the imageformation and detection subsystem. Preferably, the red-color windowfilter 40A will have substantially planar surface characteristics overits central planar region 3A to avoid focusing or defocusing of lighttransmitted therethrough during imaging operations. During systemoperation, these optical filter elements 40A and 40B optically cooperateto form a narrow-band optical filter subsystem 40 transmittingsubstantially only the very narrow band of wavelengths (e.g. 620-700nanometers) of visible illumination produced from the LED-basedillumination subsystem 22 and reflected/scattered off the illuminatedobject, while rejecting all other optical wavelengths outside thisnarrow optical band however generated (i.e. ambient light sources).

Alternatively, the band-pass optical filter subsystem 40 may also berealized as an integrated multi-layer filter structure disposed anywherebefore its CMOS image detection array 35, or even within the imagingwindow 3 itself.

As shown in FIG. 5E1, the light transmission characteristics (energyversus wavelength) associated with the low-pass optical filter element40B indicate that optical wavelengths below 620 nanometers aretransmitted therethrough, whereas optical wavelengths above 620 nm aresubstantially blocked (e.g. absorbed or reflected).

As illustrated in FIG. 5E2, optical wavelengths greater than 620nanometers are transmitted through the high-pass optical filter element40B, while optical wavelengths less than 620 nm are substantiallyblocked (e.g. absorbed or reflected).

FIG. 5E3 shows the transmission characteristics of the narrow-basedspectral filter subsystem 40, plotted against the spectralcharacteristics of the LED-emissions produced from the LED-arrays in theMulti-Mode LED-Based Illumination Subsystem of the illustrativeembodiment of the present invention. Notably, the pass-bandwidth of theoptical filtering subsystem 40 is slightly greater than the bandwidth ofthe laser illumination beam generated by the multi-mode illuminationsubsystem.

During system operation, spectral band-pass filter subsystem 40 greatlyreduces the influence of the ambient light, which falls upon the CMOSimage detection array 35 during the image capturing operations.

By virtue of the optical filter of the present invention, an opticalshutter mechanism is eliminated in the system. In practice, the opticalfilter can reject more than 85% of incident ambient light, and intypical environments, the intensity of LED illumination is significantlymore than the ambient light on the CMOS image detection array 35. Thus,while an optical shutter is required in nearly most conventional CMOSimaging systems, the digital image capture and processing system of thepresent invention effectively manages the time that the CMOS imagedetection array 35 is exposed to narrow-band illumination by controllingthe time duration that LED-based illumination arrays 23A and 23Bgenerate and project illumination into the FOV in which the object isdetected. This method of illumination control is achieved using controlsignals generated by (i) the CMOS image detection array 35 and (ii) theautomatic light exposure measurement and illumination control subsystem24 in response to real-time measurements of light exposure within thecentral portion of the FOV, while the delivery of narrow-bandillumination is controllably delivered to the object in the FOV byoperation of the band-pass optical filter subsystem 40 described above.The result is a simple system design, without moving parts, and having areduced manufacturing cost.

FIG. 5F specifies the geometrical layout of the optical components usedwithin the digital IPD subsystem 21. As shown, the red-wavelengthreflecting high-pass lens element 40A is positioned at the imagingwindow 3 before the image formation lens elements 34, while the low-passfilter element 40B is embodied within the surface of the first or secondFOV folding mirrors 74 and 75 or anywhere before the image detectionarray 35. In the illustrative embodiment, image formation optics 34comprises three lenses 34A, 34B and 34C, each made as small as possible,having spherical surfaces, and made from common glass. Collectively,these lenses are held together within a lens holding assembly 87, andform an image formation subsystem arranged along the optical axis of theCMOS image detection array 35. As shown in FIGS. 5A, 5C and 8H the lensholding assembly 87 is formed as part of the light box structure 73, andcomprises: a barrel structure 87A for holding lens elements 34A, 34B and34C; and a base structure 87B for holding the CMOS image detection array35 mounted on the PC board/optical bench structure 8.

In FIG. 5F, the lens holding assembly 87 and imaging detecting array 35are mounted along an optical path defined along the central axis of thesystem. In the illustrative embodiment, the image detection array 35has, for example, a 1280×1024 pixel resolution (½″ format), 6 micronpixel size, with randomly accessible region of interest (ROI) windowcapabilities. An example of an exemplary area image sensor is the 1.23Megapixel Digital Video CMOS Image Sensor VC5602 having an image size of1280×780 pixels, from STMicroelectronics. It is understood, however,that many others kinds of imaging sensing devices (e.g. CMOs or CCD) canbe used to practice the principles of the present invention disclosedherein.

Details regarding a preferred method of designing the image formation(i.e. camera) optics within the image-based bar code reader of thepresent invention using the modulation transfer function (MTF) aredescribed in Applicants' U.S. Pat. No. 2,270,272, incorporated herein byreference.

Specification of the Automatic Zoom/Focus Mechanism Integrated withinthe Image Formation and Detection Subsystem of the Digital Image Captureand Processing System of the Present Invention

As shown in FIG. 5G, an alternative auto-focus/zoom optics assembly 34′can be employed in the image formation and detection subsystem of thedigital image capture and processing system of the present invention. Inthis alternative illustrative embodiment, only one optical element needsto be moved in order to adjust both the focus and zoom characteristicsof the system. As shown, the optics assembly 34′ comprises four opticalcomponents disposed before the image sensing array 35, namely: 34A′,34B′, 34C′ and 34D″. In such illustrative embodiments, the IR-basedobject detection subsystem can be replaced by an IR ladar-based objectmotion detection and analysis subsystem 20′ to support real-timemeasurement of an object's range within the FOV of the system duringsystem operation. Real-time object range data is provided to the systemcontrol subsystem for use in generating automatic focus and zoom controlsignals that are supplied to the auto-focus/zoom optics assemblyemployed in the image formation and detection subsystem 21. Based on themeasured range of the detected object in the FOV, a control algorithmrunning within the system control subsystem 30 will automaticallycompute the focus and zoom parameters required to generate controlsignals for driving the optics to their correct configuration/positionto achieve the computed focus and zoom parameters.

Specification of Modes of Operation of the Area-Type Image Sensing ArrayEmployed in the Digital Image Formation and Detection Subsystem of thePresent Invention

In the digital image capture and processing system 1 of the presentinvention, the CMOS area-type image detection array 35 supports severaldifferent modes of suboperation, namely: a Single Frame Shutter Mode(i.e. Snap-Shot Mode) of the operation illustrated in FIG. 6A; a RealVideo Mode of the operation illustrated in FIG. 6B; and a Periodic SnapShot (“Pseudo-Video”) Mode of the operation illustrated in FIG. 6C. Eachof these modes of CMOS image detector suboperation will be described ingreater detail below.

The Single Frame Shutter Mode (i.e. Snap-Shot Mode) of the Operation

Referring to FIG. 6A, the Single Frame Shutter Mode (i.e. Snap-ShotMode) of the operation is schematically illustrated. As shown, duringthe row reset stage (e.g. about 150 milliseconds), only ambientillumination is permitted to expose the image detection array. Duringthe global integration operations (e.g. between 500 microseconds and 8.0milliseconds), both LED-based strobe and ambient illumination arepermitted to expose the image detection array. During row data transferoperations (e.g. about 30 milliseconds), only ambient illumination ispermitted to illuminate the image detection array. The particulartimings selected for this mode will depend on the specifics of the imagesensor employed, and the size of the digital image to be formed anddetected. In the illustrative embodiments, an ST image sensor VC5602 isused, and the size of the image is 1280×780. When using the ST imagesensor, it is noted that “global reset” is supported so that the allrows in FIG. 6A will be reset simultaneously, rather than assequentially shown in FIG. 6A. Based on these requirements, the timingsare selected as follows: reset stage ˜150 microseconds: globalintegration (exposure) time can be set to as low as 500 microseconds, asa default setting, but can be set to a value lower than 500microseconds, or as high as 8 milliseconds; the data transfer stage isset to about 30 milliseconds.

The Real Video Mode of the Operation

Referring to FIG. 6B, the Real Video Mode of the operation isschematically illustrated. As shown, during each image acquisitioncycle, including row data transfer operations, multiple rows of theimage detection array are simultaneously integrating both LED-basedillumination and ambient illumination. The particular timings selectedfor this mode will depend on the specifics of the image sensor employed,and the size of the digital image to be formed and detected. In theillustrative embodiments, an ST image sensor VC5602 is used, and thesize of the image is 1280×780. Based on these requirements, the timingsare selected as follows: Texp1=Texp2=Texp3 which is the exposure timewhich, in the illustrative embodiment, is 500 microseconds by default,but could be set to a higher or lower value. In this mode, Image 1time=Image 2 time=Image 3 time=frame time which, in the illustrativeembodiment, is set to approximately 30 milliseconds. Also,Tinterframe12=Tinterframe23=frame time=approximately 30 milliseconds.

The Periodic Snap Shot (“Pseudo-Video”) Mode of the Operation

Referring to FIG. 6C, the Periodic Snap Shot (“Pseudo-Video”) Mode isschematically illustrated. The particular timings selected for this modewill depend on the specifics of the image sensor employed, and the sizeof the digital image to be formed and detected. In the illustrativeembodiments, an ST image sensor VC5602 is used, and the size of theimage is 1280×780. Based on these requirements, the timings are selectedas follows: the duration of each periodically generated Snap-Shot typeimage acquisition cycle is approximately 30 milliseconds, followed by adecode-processing cycle having a time-duration approximately equal tothe duration of the Snap-Shot type image acquisition cycle (e.g.approximately 30 milliseconds) so that at least fifteen (15) imageframes can be acquired per second. Also, when using the ST image sensor,it is noted that “global reset” is supported so that the all rows inFIG. 6C will be reset simultaneously, rather than as sequentially shownin FIG. 6C.

Specification of the Automatic Object Motion Detection and AnalysisSubsystem of the Present Invention: Various Ways to Realize SaidSubsystem in Practice

As shown in FIGS. 7A through 7G, there are several different ways ofimplementing the automatic object motion detection and analysissubsystem, employed in the hand-supportable digital image capture andprocessing system of the first illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention.

In general, automatic object motion detection and analysis subsystem 20operates as follows. In system modes of operation requiring automaticobject presence and/or range detection, automatic object motiondetection and analysis subsystem 20 will be activated at system start-upand operational at all times of system operation, typically continuouslyproviding the system control subsystem 30 with information about thestate of objects within the object detection field 32 of theimaging-based system of the first illustrative embodiment. During suchoperation, the system control subsystem responds to such stateinformation and generates control activation signals during particularstages of the system control process, such as, for example, controlactivation signals which are provided to system control subsystem 30 for(i) activating either the near-field and/or far-field LED illuminationarrays, and (ii) controlling how strongly these LED illumination arrays23A, 23B should be driven to ensure quality image exposure at the CMOSimage detection array 35.

It is appropriate at this juncture to describe these different kinds ofobject motion detection and analysis subsystem hereinbelow.

Automatic Object Motion and Analysis Detection Subsystem Realized Usinga Pair of Infra-Red (IR) Transmitting and Receiving Laser Diodes

FIGS. 7A and 7B show a digital image capture and processing systememploying an automatic object motion and analysis detection subsystemrealized as an IR-based automatic object detection and ranging subsystemusing a pair of infra-red (IR) transmitting and receiving diodes 90A and90B, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,705,526, as well as in copendingU.S. application Ser. No. 11/489,259 filed Jul. 19, 2006, incorporatedherein by reference. As shown in FIG. 7A, the underlying single printedcircuit (PC) board 8 supports infra-red (IR) transmitting and receivinglaser diodes 90A and 90B associated with the IR-based object motiondetection and ranging subsystem illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 7Bbelow.

As shown in FIG. 7B, the IR-based object motion and ranging subsystem20′ of FIGS. 7A and 7B comprises: an IR laser diode 90A′ supported in asupport module 91 mounted on the PC board 8, for producing a low powerIR laser beam; IR beam shaping optics 92, supported in the module 91 forshaping the IR laser beam (e.g. into a thin fan-like like geometry) anddirecting the same into the central portion of the object detectionfield 32 defined by the field of view (FOV) of IR lightcollection/focusing optics 93 also supported in the module 91; anamplitude modulation (AM) circuit 94 supported on the PC board 8, formodulating the amplitude of the IR laser beam produced from the IR laserdiode at a frequency f₀ (e.g. 75 Mhz) with up to 7.5 milliwatts ofoptical power; optical detector (e.g. an avalanche-type IRphoto-detector) 90B, mounted at the focal point of the IR lightcollection/focusing optics 93, for receiving the IR optical signalreflected off an object within the object detection field, andconverting the received optical signal into an electrical signal; anamplifier and filter circuit 95, mounted on the PC board 8, forisolating the f₀ signal component and amplifying it; a limitingamplifier 96 for maintaining a stable signal level; a phase detector 97for mixing the reference signal component f₀ from the AM circuit 94 andthe received signal component f₀ reflected from the object and producinga resulting signal which is equal to a DC voltage proportional to theCosine of the phase difference between the reference and the reflectedf₀ signals; an amplifier circuit 98 for amplifying the phase differencesignal; a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) 99 for producing avoltage proportional to a LOG of the signal reflected from the targetobject which can be used to provide additional information; areflectance level threshold analog multiplexer 100 for rejectinginformation from the weak signals; and a 12 bit A/D converter 101 forconverting the DC voltage signal from the RSSI circuit 99 into sequenceof time-based range data elements {R_(n,i)}, taken along nT discreteinstances in time. Each range data element R_(n,i) provides a measure ofthe distance (i.e. range) of the object referenced from (i) the IR laserdiode 90A to (ii) a point on the surface of the object within the objectdetection field 32. The range analysis circuitry 102 analyzes theserange data elements and detects where the object resides along thespatial extend of the FOV (e.g. in the long range region, or short rangeregion of the FOV). Various kinds of analog and digital circuitry can bedesigned to implement the IR-based automatic object motion detection andanalysis subsystem 20′ Alternatively, this subsystem can be realizedusing various kinds of range detection techniques as taught in U.S. Pat.No. 6,637,659, incorporated herein by reference in its entirely.

Automatic Object Motion and Analysis Detection Subsystem Realized Usingan IR-Based Image Sensing and Processing Device

FIGS. 7C and 7D show a digital image capture and processing systememploying an automatic object motion and analysis detection subsystem20″ realized using an IR-based image sensing and processing device toanalyze object motion and compute velocity. As shown in FIG. 7C, thefront portion of the system housing, including imaging window 3, hasbeen removed so as to reveal the underlying single printed circuit (PC)board/optical bench 8 that supports the infra-red (IR) LED and imagesensing module 105 associated with the IR-imaging based object motionand velocity detection subsystem 20″ further illustrated in FIG. 7E.

As shown in FIG. 7D, the IR-imaging based object motion and velocitydetection subsystem 20″ comprises: an IR LED and optics 106 forilluminating at least a portion of the FOV with a field of IRillumination 107; an image detection array and optics 108 for projectinga motion/velocity detection FOV 109 into the FOV 33, and capturingIR-based 2D images of an object moving through the FOV 33; an imagecapture and buffering subsystem 110; and a digital signal processor(DSP) 111 for processing captured digital images and computing themotion and velocity of objects in the field of view of the system. Thisobject motion and velocity data is then provided to the system controlsystem 30 for use in carrying of system control management operationswithin the digital image capture and processing system.

Automatic Object Motion Detection and Analysis Subsystem Realized Usingan IR-Based LADAR Pulse-Doppler Based Object Motion and VelocityDetection Device

FIGS. 7E and 7F show a hand-supportable digital image capture andprocessing system employing an automatic high-speed IR LADARPulse-Doppler based object motion and velocity detection subsystem. Asshown in FIG. 7E, the front portion of the system housing, includingimaging window 3, has been removed so as to reveal the underlying singleprinted circuit (PC) board/optical bench 8 supporting a high-speed IRLADAR Pulse-Doppler based object motion and velocity detection subsystem20″. As shown therein, a pair of pulse-modulated IR laser diodes 115Aand 115B (with IR photodiodes integrated therein) are focused throughoptics 116 supported in support module 117, and projected into the 3Dimaging volume of the system for sensing the presence, motion andvelocity of objects passing therethrough in real-time using IRPulse-Doppler LIDAR techniques as disclosed, in great detail inApplicants' copending application Ser. Nos. 11/489,259 filed Jul. 19,2006 and 11/880,087 filed Jul. 19, 2007, both incorporated herein byreference, in its entirety.

As shown in FIG. 7F, the high-speed imaging-based object motion/velocitydetection subsystem of FIG. 7F, shown comprising an IR LADAR transceiver118 and an embedded digital signal processing (DSP) chip 119 (includingdigital filters) to support high-speed digital signal processingoperations required for real-time object presence, motion and velocitydetection, and corresponding signal generation operations.

While several techniques have been detailed above for automaticallydetecting the motion and velocity of objects within the FOV of thedigital image capture and processing system of the present invention, itunderstood that other methods may be employed, as disclosed, forexample, in great detail in Applicants' copending application Ser. Nos.11/489,259 filed Jul. 19, 2006 and 11/880,087 filed Jul. 19, 2007, bothbeing incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.

Specification of the Automatic Linear Targeting Illumination Subsystemof the Present Invention

Referring to FIGS. 8A through 8H, the automatic linear object targetingillumination subsystem of the present invention 31 will now be describedin detail.

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the object targeting illumination subsystem31 employed in the digital image capture and processing system of theillustrative embodiment automatically generates and projects a visiblelinear-targeting illumination beam 70 across the central extent of theFOV of the system in response to either (i) the automatic detection ofan object during hand-held imaging modes of system operation, or (ii)manual detection of an object by an operator when s/he manually actuatesthe manual actuatable trigger switch 5.

FIGS. 8C through 8H show the automatic linear object targetingillumination subsystem in greater structural and functional detail. Asshown therein, the OCS support assembly 78 of the preferred embodimentserves as a component in the linear targeting illumination beamgeneration subsystem. As shown, the OCS support assembly 78 supports (i)a pair of cylindrical beam folding mirrors 85A and 85B arranged onopposite sides of the FOV optics subassembly 34, as well as (ii) a pairof elongated aperture stops 84A and 84B, also supported by the OCSsupport assembly, and arranged above a pair of visible high-brightnessLEDs 83A and 83B mounted on the PC board, on opposite sides of the FOVoptics subassembly 34. The purpose of aperture stops 84A and 84B is toproduce a pair of spaced apart light beams which are planarized duringtransmission through the aperture stops. In turn, the planarized lightbeams are then focused by the cylindrical beam folding mirrors 84A and84B, to project a pair of visible linear targeting illumination beams70A, 70B off the planar beam folding mirror 75 mounted behind theimaging window of the system. As shown, these planar light beams areultimately projected simultaneously into the FOV of the system andspatially converge to produce a single substantially planar (narrowarea) visible illumination beam 70 for object targeting purposes, duringobject detection operations. FIGS. 8F and 8G show the components of theobject targeting illumination subsystem from different perspectiveviews.

Specification of the Automatic Light Exposure Measurement andIllumination Control Subsystem of the Present Invention

Referring to FIGS. 9A through 9D and 10, the automatic light exposuremeasurement and illumination control subsystem of the present inventionwill now be described in greater detail.

As shown in FIG. 9C, the parabolic light-collecting mirror segment 79collects narrow-band LED-based light reflected from a central portion ofthe FOV of the system, and focuses this collected light energy onto theavalance-type photo-diode 81 that is mounted at the focal point of thelight collection mirror 79. The photo-diode 81 converts the detectedlight signal into an electrical signal having an amplitude whichdirectly corresponds to the intensity of the collected light signal.Electronic circuitry then processes the electrical signals produced bythe photo-diode 81 indicative of the intensity of detected lightexposure levels within the focal plane of the CMOS image detectionarray, and control signals are automatically generated so as to controlthe illumination produced by LED arrays 23A and 23D employed in themulti-mode illumination subsystem 22.

During object illumination and imaging operations, narrow-band lightfrom the LED arrays 23A and/or 23B is reflected from the target object(at which the digital imager is aimed) and is accumulated by the CMOSimage detection array 35. The object illumination process must becarried out for an optimal duration so that each acquired digital imageframe has good contrast and is not saturated. Such conditions arerequired for consistent and reliable bar code decoding operation andperformance.

In order to automatically control the brightness and contrast ofacquired images, the automatic light exposure measurement andillumination control subsystem 24 carries out the following operations:(i) it automatically measures the amount of light reflected from thetarget object (i.e. measured light exposure at the image plane of theCMOS imaging sensing array); (ii) it automatically calculates themaximum time that the CMOS image detection array 35 should be keptexposed to the actively-driven LED-based illumination array 23A (23B)associated with the multi-mode illumination subsystem 22; (iii) itautomatically controls the time duration that the illumination subsystem22 illuminates the target object with narrow-band illumination generatedfrom the activated LED illumination array; and then (iv) itautomatically deactivates the illumination array when the calculatedtime to do so expires (i.e. lapses).

By virtue of its operation, the automatic light exposure measurement andillumination control subsystem 24 eliminates the need for a complexshuttering mechanism for CMOS-based image detection array 35. This novelmechanism ensures that the digital image capture and processing systemof the present invention generates non-saturated images with enoughbrightness and contrast to guarantee fast and reliable image-based barcode decoding in demanding end-user applications.

Specification of the System Control Subsystem of the Present Invention

Referring to FIGS. 10 through 12D, the system control subsystem of thepresent invention will now be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 10, the system control subsystem 30 of the firstillustrative embodiment interfaces with all other subsystems, namely:the image formation and detection subsystem 21 and its CMOS imagesensing array 35; the illumination subsystem and its near and far fieldLED illumination arrays 23A, 23B; the automatic exposure measurement andillumination control subsystem 24 and its illumination diver circuitry24A and its automatic exposure measurement and illumination controlcircuitry 24B; the object motion detection and analysis subsystem 20;the object targeting illumination subsystem 31; the image capture andbuffering subsystem 25; the digital image processing subsystem 26; andthe I/O subsystem 27.

Also, as illustrated, system control subsystem 30 controls the imagedetection array 35, the illumination subsystem 22, and the automaticlight exposure measurement and illumination control subsystem 24 in eachof the submodes of operation of the imaging detection array, namely: (i)the snap-shot mode (i.e. single frame shutter mode) of operation; (ii)the real-video mode of operation; and (iii) the pseudo-video mode ofoperation. Each of these modes of image detection array operation willbe described in greater detail below.

Single Frame Shutter Mode (i.e. Snap-Shot Mode) of the Sub-OperationSupported by CMOS Image Detection Array

When the single frame shutter mode (i.e. snap-shot mode) of thesub-operation is selected, as shown in FIG. 11A, the system controlsubsystem generates a series of control signals which control theautomatic exposure measurement and illumination control subsystem, theillumination subsystem, and the image detection/sensing array asfollows: (i) during the row reset stage (e.g. about 150 milliseconds),only ambient illumination is permitted to expose the image detectionarray; (ii) during the global integration operations (e.g. between 500microseconds and 8.0 milliseconds), both LED-based strobe and ambientillumination are permitted to expose the image detection array; and(iii) during row data transfer operations (e.g. about 30 milliseconds),only ambient illumination is permitted to illuminate the image detectionarray. As shown in FIG. 11A, different control signals are generated inresponse to different object detection events. Also, FIG. 11B describesthe timing of such events during the snap-shot mode of suboperation.

Notably, during this single frame shutter mode (i.e. snap-shot mode) ofthe sub-operation, a novel exposure control method is used to ensurethat all rows of pixels in the CMOS image detection array have a commonintegration time, thereby capturing high quality images even when theobject is in a state of high speed motion, relative to the image sensingarray. This novel exposure control technique shall be referred to as“the global exposure control method” of the present invention, which isdescribed in great detail in the flow chart of FIG. 6A. Also, the globalexposure control method has been described in greater detail in U.S.Pat. No. 7,128,266 which is incorporated herein by reference.

Real-Video Mode of the Sub-Operation Supported by CMOS Image DetectionArray

When the real-video mode of sub-operation is selected, as shown in FIG.12A, the system control subsystem generates a series of control signalswhich controls the automatic exposure measurement and illuminationcontrol subsystem, the illumination subsystem, and the image sensingarray. As illustrated, during each image acquisition cycle, includingrow data transfer operations, multiple rows of the image detection arraysimultaneously integrate both LED-based illumination and ambientillumination. As shown in FIG. 12A, different control signals aregenerated in response to different object detection events. Also, FIG.12B describes the timing of such events during the Real-Video Mode ofsuboperation.

Periodic Snap Shot (“Pseudo-Video”) Mode of the Operation Supported bythe CMOS Image Detection Array

When the periodic snap shot (“pseudo-video”) mode of sub-operation isselected, as shown in FIG. 12C, the system control subsystem generates aseries of control signals which controls the automatic exposuremeasurement and illumination control subsystem, the illuminationsubsystem, and the image sensing array. As shown in FIG. 12C, differentcontrol signals are generated in response to different object detectionevents. When an object is detected in the FOV, then the system controlsubsystem enables the periodic generation of snap-shot type imageacquisition cycles (e.g. each having a duration of approximately 30milliseconds), followed by a decode-processing cycle having atime-duration approximately equal to the duration of the snap-shot typeimage acquisition cycle (e.g. approximately 30 milliseconds) so that atleast fifteen (15) image frames can be acquired per second. FIG. 12Ddescribes the timing of such events during the real-video mode ofsuboperation.

Specification of the Three-Tier Software Architecture of the DigitalImage Capture and Processing System of the First Illustrative Embodimentof the Present Invention

As shown in FIG. 13, digital image capture and processing system of thepresent invention is provided with a three-tier software architecturecomprising multiple software modules, including: (1) the Main Taskmodule, the Secondary Task, the Area-Image Capture Task module, theLinear Targeting Beam Task module, the Application Events Managermodule, the User Commands Table module, the Command Handler module, thePlug-In Controller (Manager) and Plug-In Libraries and ConfigurationFiles, each residing within the Application layer of the softwarearchitecture; (2) the Tasks Manager module, the Events Dispatchermodule, the Input/Output Manager module, the User Commands Managermodule, the Timer Subsystem module, the Input/Output Subsystem moduleand the Memory Control Subsystem module, each residing within the SystemCore (SCORE) layer of the software architecture; and (3) the LinuxKernal module, the Linux File System module, and Device Drivers modules,each residing within the Linux Operating System (OS) layer of thesoftware architecture.

While the operating system layer of the digital image capture andprocessing system is based upon the Linux operating system, it isunderstood that other operating systems can be used (e.g. MicrosoftWindows, Apple Mac OSX, Unix, etc), and that the design preferablyprovides for independence between the main Application Software Layerand the Operating System Layer, and therefore, enables of theApplication Software Layer to be potentially transported to otherplatforms. Moreover, the system design principles of the presentinvention provides an extensibility of the system to other futureproducts with extensive usage of the common software components,decreasing development time and ensuring robustness.

In the illustrative embodiment, the above features are achieved throughthe implementation of an event-driven multi-tasking, potentiallymulti-user, Application layer running on top of the System Core softwarelayer, called SCORE. The SCORE layer is statically linked with theproduct Application software, and therefore, runs in the ApplicationLevel or layer of the system. The SCORE layer provides a set of servicesto the Application in such a way that the Application would not need toknow the details of the underlying operating system, although alloperating system APIs are, of course, available to the application aswell. The SCORE software layer provides a real-time, event-driven,OS-independent framework for the product Application to operate. Theevent-driven architecture is achieved by creating a means for detectingevents (usually, but not necessarily, when the hardware interruptsoccur) and posting the events to the Application for processing inreal-time manner. The event detection and posting is provided by theSCORE software layer. The SCORE layer also provides the productApplication with a means for starting and canceling the software tasks,which can be running concurrently, hence, the multi-tasking nature ofthe software system of the present invention.

Specification of Software Modules within the Score Layer of the SystemSoftware Architecture Employed in the Digital Image Capture andProcessing System of the Present Invention

The SCORE layer provides a number of services to the Application layer.

The Tasks Manager provides a means for executing and canceling specificapplication tasks (threads) at any time during the product Applicationrun.

The Events Dispatcher provides a means for signaling and delivering allkinds of internal and external synchronous and asynchronous events

When events occur, synchronously or asynchronously to the Application,the Events Dispatcher dispatches them to the Application Events Manager,which acts on the events accordingly as required by the Applicationbased on its current state. For example, based on the particular eventand current state of the application, the Application Events Manager candecide to start a new task, or stop currently running task, or dosomething else, or do nothing and completely ignore the event.

The Input/Output Manager provides a means for monitoring activities ofinput/output devices and signaling appropriate events to the Applicationwhen such activities are detected.

The Input/Output Manager software module runs in the background andmonitors activities of external devices and user connections, andsignals appropriate events to the Application Layer, which suchactivities are detected. The Input/Output Manager is a high-prioritythread that runs in parallel with the Application and reacts to theinput/output signals coming asynchronously from the hardware devices,such as serial port, user trigger switch 2C, bar code reader, networkconnections, etc. Based on these signals and optional input/outputrequests (or lack thereof) from the Application, it generatesappropriate system events, which are delivered through the EventsDispatcher to the Application Events Manager as quickly as possible asdescribed above.

The User Commands Manager provides a means for managing user commands,and utilizes the User Commands Table provided by the Application, andexecutes appropriate User Command Handler based on the data entered bythe user.

The Input/Output Subsystem software module provides a means for creatingand deleting input/output connections and communicating with externalsystems and devices

The Timer Subsystem provides a means of creating, deleting, andutilizing all kinds of logical timers.

The Memory Control Subsystem provides an interface for managing themulti-level dynamic memory with the device, fully compatible withstandard dynamic memory management functions, as well as a means forbuffering collected data. The Memory Control Subsystem provides a meansfor thread-level management of dynamic memory. The interfaces of theMemory Control Subsystem are fully compatible with standard C memorymanagement functions. The system software architecture is designed toprovide connectivity of the device to potentially multiple users, whichmay have different levels of authority to operate with the device.

The User Commands Manager, which provides a standard way of enteringuser commands, and executing application modules responsible forhandling the same. Each user command described in the User CommandsTable is a task that can be launched by the User Commands Manager peruser input, but only if the particular user's authority matches thecommand's level of security.

The Events Dispatcher software module provides a means of signaling anddelivering events to the Application Events Manager, including thestarting of a new task, stopping a currently running task, or doingsomething or nothing and simply ignoring the event.

Specification of Software Modules within the Application Layer of theSystem Software Architecture Employed in the Digital Image Capture andProcessing System of the Present Invention

The image processing software employed within the system hereof performsits bar code reading function by locating and recognizing the bar codeswithin the frame of a captured digital image comprising pixel data. Themodular design of the image processing software provides a rich set ofimage processing functions, which can be utilized in futureapplications, related or not related to bar code symbol reading, suchas: optical character recognition (OCR) and verification (OCV); readingand verifying directly marked symbols on various surfaces; facialrecognition and other biometrics identification; etc.

The Area Image Capture Task, in an infinite loop, performs the followingtask. It illuminates the entire field-of-view (FOV) and acquires awide-area (e.g. 2D) digital image of any objects in the FOV. It thenattempts to read bar code symbols represented in the captured frame ofimage data using the image processing software facilities supported bythe digital image processing subsystem 26 to be described in greaterdetail hereinafter. If a bar code symbol is successfully read, thensubsystem 26 saves the decoded data in the special decode data buffer.Otherwise, it clears the decode data buffer. Then, it continues theloop. The Area Image Capture Task routine never exits on its own. It canbe canceled by other modules in the system when reacting to otherevents. For example, when a user pulls the trigger switch 5, the eventTRIGGER_ON is posted to the Application. The Application softwareresponsible for processing this event, checks if the Area Image CaptureTask is running, and if so, it cancels it and then starts the Main Task.The Area Image Capture Task can also be canceled upon OBJECT_DETECT_OFFevent, posted when the user moves the digital imager away from theobject, or when the user moves the object away from the digital imager.The Area Image Capture Task routine is enabled (with Main Task) when“semi-automatic-triggered” system modes of programmed operation are tobe implemented on the digital image capture and processing platform ofthe present invention.

The Linear Targeting Illumination Task is a simple routine which isenabled (with Main Task) when manually or automatically triggered systemmodes of programmed are to be implemented on the illumination andimaging platform of the present invention.

Various bar code symbologies are supported by the digital image captureand processing system of the present invention. Supported bar codesymbologies include: Code 128; Code 39; I2of5; Code 93; Codabar;UPC/EAN; Telepen; UK-Plessey; Trioptic; Matrix 2of5; Ariline 2of5;Straight 2of5; MSI-Plessey; Code 11; and PDF417.

Specification of Method of Reading a Programming-Type Bar Code SymbolUsing the Hand-Supportable Digital Image Capture and Processing Systemof the Present Invention

Referring to FIGS. 14A1 and 14A2, a novel method of reading a“programmable bar code symbol” using the digital image capture andprocessing system of the present invention will now be described.

As shown in FIG. 14A1, when configured in the programming-type bar codereading mode of the present invention, the image capture and processingsystem of the present invention automatically generates a visible lineartarget illumination beam upon detection of the target menu, enabling theuser/operator to target a programming-type code symbol with the visibletargeting illumination beam. As shown in FIG. 14A2, with the programmingbar code symbol aligned with the targeting illumination beam, theoperator then manually actuates the trigger switch 5 and in responsethereto, the system automatically generates a field of illuminationwithin the FOV which illuminates the targeted programming-type bar codesymbol, while (i) only an imaged subregion of the FOV, centered aboutthe linear targeting illumination beam, is made decode-processingactivated during illumination and imaging operations, and (ii) thelinear targeting illumination beam is deactivated (i.e. turned off).This technique enables only a narrow-area image, centered about thereference location of the linear illumination targeting beam, to becaptured and decode processed, for the purpose of decoding the targetedprogramming-type bar code symbol, which is typically a 1D symbology. Byvirtue of the present invention here, it is possible to avoid theinadvertent reading of multiple programming-type bar code symbols (i)printed on a bar code menu page or sheet, or (ii) displayed on a LCDdisplay screen, as the case may be.

Specification of the Various Modes of Operation in the Digital ImageCapture and Processing System of the Present Invention

The digital image capture and processing system of the illustrativeembodiment supports many different methods and modes of digital imagecapture and processing. Referring to FIGS. 15A1 through 22D, a number ofthese methods will now be described in detail below.

First Illustrative Method of Hands-Free Digital Imaging Using theDigital Image Capture and Processing System of the Present Invention

Referring to FIGS. 15A1 through 15D, a first illustrative method ofhands-free (i.e. presentation/pass-through) digital imaging will bedescribed using the digital image capture and processing system of thefirst illustrative embodiment, wherein its image formation and detectionsubsystem is operated in either (i) snap-shot and real video modes ofsub-operation of the CMOS image sensing array 35, illustrated in FIGS.6A and 6B, respectively, or (ii) snap-shot and pseudo video modes ofsub-operation of the CMOS image sensing array, illustrated in FIGS. 6Aand 6C, respectively.

The flow chart shown in FIGS. 15A1 through 15A3 describes the primarysteps involved in carrying out the first illustrative method ofhands-free (i.e. presentation/pass-through) digital imaging according tothe present invention.

As shown at Block A in FIG. 15A1, the system is configured by enablingthe automatic object presence detector, and the IFD subsystem (i.e. CMOSimage sensing array) initialized in the snap-shot mode of suboperation.At this stage, this system is ready to be used as shown in FIG. 15B,where the IR-based object detection field is projected into the field ofview (FOV) of the system and ready to automatically detect objectswithin the FOV, and sends control activation signals to the systemcontrol subsystem upon the occurrence of such object detection events.

Then at Block B, the system control subsystem determines whether or notthe object is detected in the FOV. If the object is not present in theFOV, the system continues to this check this condition about Block B. Ifthe object is detected at Block B, then the system control subsystemproceeds to Block C and sets the operation of the Timer (0<t1<T1),configures the IFD subsystem in a video mode (e.g. real or pseudo videomode) as shown FIG. 15C and starts continuos image acquisition. In theillustrative embodiment, T1=5000 ms, but this value can and will varyfrom embodiment to embodiment of the present invention. The systemcontrol subsystem detects the next image frame from the IFD subsystem,and processes the digital image in an attempt to decode a code symbol,and allow time for decoding to be no more than the frame acquisitiontime (e.g. t<30 milliseconds). At Block E in FIG. 15A2, the systemcontrol subsystem determines whether or not the image processing hasproduced a successful decoded output within T2 (e.g. T2=300 ms). Ifimage processing has produced a successful output with T2, then at BlockF, the system control subsystem generates symbol character data andtransmits the data to the host system, and then proceeds to Block G,where the IFD subsystem is reset to its snap-shot mode of sub-operation.

If at Block E, the system control subsystem determines that imageprocessing has not produced a successful decoded output within T2, thenthe system proceeds to Block H and determines whether or not a PDF codesymbol has been detected. If a PDF code symbol has been detected, thenat Block I more time is allowed for the image processor to code the PDFcode symbol.

Then at Block J, the system control subsystem determines whether or nota PDF code symbol is in fact decoded, and if so, then at Block K, thesystem generates symbol character data for the decoded PDF symbol. If aPDF code symbol has not been decoded with the extra time allowed, thenthe system proceeds to Block L and determines whether or not the objectis still in the FOV of the system. If the object has move out of theFOV, then the system returns to Block G, where the IFD subsystem isreset to its snap-shot mode (e.g. for approximately 40 milliseconds).

If, at Block L in FIG. 15A2, the system control subsystem determinesthat the object is still present within the FOV, then the system controlsubsystem proceeds to Block M and determines whether or not the timeallowed for the video mode (e.g. 300 milliseconds) has lapsed. If thetime allowed for video mode operation has not elapsed, then the systemproceeds to Block D, where the next frame of digital image data isdetected, and next frame of image data processed in an attempt to decodea code symbol within the allowed time for decoding (e.g. less than 30ms).

If at Block M the system control subsystem determines that the time forVideo Mode operation has lapsed, then the system control subsystemproceeds to Block N and reconfigures the IFD subsystem to the snap-shotmode (shown in FIG. 15D), and then the system acquires and processes asingle digital image of the object in the FOV, allowing up toapproximately 500 ms for acquisition and decode processing.

At Block O in FIG. 15A3, the system control subsystem determines whetheror not image processing has produced decoded output, and if so, then atBlock P, symbol character data (representative of the read code symbol)is generated and transmitted to the host computer.

If at Block O in FIG. 15A3 the system control subsystem determines thatimage processing has not produced successful decoded output, then atBlock Q the system control subsystem determines whether or not theobject is still present within the FOV. If it is determined at Block Qthat the object is no longer present in the FOV, then the system controlsubsystem returns to Block G, where the IFD subsystem is reset to itssnap-shot mode. However, if at Block Q the system control subsystemdetermines that the object is still present in the FOV, then at Block Rthe system control subsystem determines whether the Timer set at Block Dhas run out of time (t1<T1). If the Timer has run out of time (t1>T1),then the system control subsystem proceeds to Block G, where the IFDsubsystem is reset to its snap-shot mode and returns to Block B todetermine whether an object is present within the FOV. However, if thesystem control subsystem determines at a Block R that the Timer has notyet run out of time (t1<T1), then the system control subsystem proceedsto Block N, and reconfigures the IFD Subsystem to its snap-shot mode,and then acquires and processes a single digital image of the object inthe FOV, allowing up to approximately 500 milliseconds to do so.

Notably, during the video mode of sub-operation, then if subsystem canbe running either the real or pseudo video modes illustrated in FIGS. 6Band 6C, respectively, depending on the application and userrequirements.

Second Illustrative Method of Hands-Free Digital Imaging Using theDigital Image Capture and Processing System of the Present Invention

Referring to FIGS. 16A through 16D, a second illustrative method ofhands-free (i.e. presentation/pass-through) digital imaging will bedescribed using the digital image capture and processing system of thefirst illustrative embodiment, wherein its image formation and detectionsubsystem is operated in its snap-shot mode of operation for a firstpredetermined time period (e.g. approximately 5000 milliseconds), torepeatedly attempt to read a bar code symbol within one or more digitalimages captured during system operation.

The flow chart shown in FIG. 16A describes the primary steps involved incarrying out the second illustrative method of hands-free (i.e.presentation/pass-through) digital imaging according to the presentinvention.

As shown at Block A in FIG. 16A, the system is configured by enablingthe automatic object presence detection subsystem, and initializing(i.e. configuring) the IFD subsystem (i.e. CMOS image sensing array) inthe snap-shot mode of suboperation. At this stage, this system is readyto be used as shown in FIG. 16B, where the IR-based object detectionfield is automatically projected into the field of view (FOV) of thesystem and ready to automatically detect objects within the FOV, andsend control activation signals to the system control subsystem upon theoccurrence of such object detection events.

Then at Block B in FIG. 16A, the system control subsystem determineswhether or not the object is detected in the FOV. If the object is notpresent in the FOV, then the system continues to this check thiscondition about Block B. If the object is detected at Block B, then thesystem control subsystem proceeds to Block C and sets the operation ofthe Timer (0<t1<T1). For illustration purposes, consider T₁=5000milliseconds. Then at Block D in FIG. 16A, the system's linearillumination object targeting illumination subsystem automaticallygenerates and projects its linear illumination object targeting beaminto the FOV in which detected object is present, and the user/operatormanually aligns the linear illumination targeting beam with the codesymbol on the object, as shown in FIG. 16C. As indicated at Block E, andshown in FIG. 16D, the illumination subsystem then illuminates thetargeted object (while the linear targeting illumination beam 70 ismomentarily ceased, i.e. switched off, during object illumination andimage capture operations within the FOV) while the IFD subsystemacquires a single digital image of the detected object in the FOV, andthe image processing subsystem processes the acquired digital image inan attempt to produce a successful decoded output within about T2=500milliseconds. At Block F, the system control subsystem determineswhether or not image processing has produced a successful decoded output(e.g. read bar code symbol) within T2 (e.g. T2=500 ms). If imageprocessing has produced a successful output within T2, then at Block F,the system control subsystem generates symbol character data andtransmits the data to the host system, and then proceeds to Block B,where the object present detection subsystem resumes its automaticobject detection operations.

If at Block F, the system control subsystem determines that imageprocessing has not produced a successful decoded output within T2, thenthe system proceeds to Block H and determines whether or not an objectis still present within the FOV. If the object has move out of the FOV,then the system returns to Block B, where automatic object detectionoperations resume. If, however, at Block H in FIG. 16A, the systemcontrol subsystem determines that the object is still present within theFOV, then the system control subsystem proceeds to Block I anddetermines whether or not the earlier set timer T1 has lapsed. If timerT1 has not elapsed, then the system returns to Block D, where the nextframe of digital image data is detected and processed in an attempt todecode a code symbol within the allowed time T2 for decoding. If atBlock I, the system control subsystem determines that timer T1 haslapsed, then the system control subsystem proceeds to Block B, whereautomatic object detection resumes.

Third Illustrative Method of Hands-Free Digital Imaging Using theDigital Image Capture and Processing System of the Present Invention

Referring to FIGS. 17A1 through 17C, a third illustrative method ofhands-free (i.e. presentation/pass-through) digital imaging will bedescribed using the digital image capture and processing system of thefirst illustrative embodiment, wherein its image formation and detectionsubsystem is operated in its video mode of operation for a firstpredetermined time period (e.g. approximately 5000 milliseconds), torepeatedly attempt to read a bar code symbol within one or more digitalimages captured during system operation.

The flow chart shown in FIG. 17A1 describes the primary steps involvedin carrying out the second illustrative method of hands-free (i.e.presentation/pass-through) digital imaging according to the presentinvention.

As shown at Block A in FIG. 17A1, the system is configured by enablingthe automatic object presence detection subsystem, and initializing(i.e. configuring) the IFD subsystem (i.e. CMOS image sensing array) inthe (real or pseudo) video mode of suboperation (illustrated in FIGS. 6Band 6C, respectively). At this stage, this system is ready to be used asshown in FIG. 17B, where the IR-based object detection field isautomatically projected into the field of view (FOV) of the system andready to automatically detect objects within the FOV, and send controlactivation signals to the system control subsystem upon the occurrenceof such object detection events.

Then at Block B in FIG. 17A1, the system control subsystem determineswhether or not the object is detected in the FOV. If the object is notpresent in the FOV, then the system continues to this check thiscondition about Block B. If the object is detected at Block B, then thesystem control subsystem proceeds to Block C and sets the operation ofthe Timer (0<t1<T1) and starts continuous image acquisition (i.e. objectillumination and imaging operations), as shown in FIG. 17C. Forillustrative purposes, consider T₁=5000 milliseconds.

Then, as indicated at Block D in FIG. 17A1, the IFD subsystem detectsthe next image frame of the detected object in the FOV, and the imageprocessing subsystem processes the digital image frame in an attempt toproduce a successful decoded output (e.g. decode a bar code symbol), andallow time for decoding to be no more than the image frame acquisition(e.g. t<30 ms) within about T2<30 milliseconds.

At Block E in FIG. 17A2, the system control subsystem determines whetheror not image processing has produced a successful decoded output (e.g.read bar code symbol) within T2 (e.g. T2=30 ms). If image processing hasproduced a successful output within T2, then at Block F, the systemcontrol subsystem generates symbol character data and transmits the datato the host system, and then proceeds to Block B, where the objectpresent detection subsystem resumes its automatic object detectionoperations.

If at Block F, the system control subsystem determines that imageprocessing has not produced a successful decoded output within T2, thenthe system proceeds to Block H and determines whether or not an objectis still present within the FOV. If the object has moved out of the FOV,then the system returns to Block B, where automatic object detectionoperations resume.

If, however, at Block H in FIG. 17A2, the system control subsystemdetermines that the object is still present within the FOV, then thesystem control subsystem proceeds to Block I and determines whether ornot the earlier set timer T1 has lapsed. If timer T1 has not elapsed,then the system returns to Block D, where the next frame of digitalimage data is detected and processed in an attempt to decode a codesymbol within the allowed time T2 for decoding. If at Block I, thesystem control subsystem determines that timer T1 has lapsed, then thesystem control subsystem proceeds to Block B, where automatic objectdetection resumes.

First Illustrative Method of Hand-Held Digital Imaging Using the DigitalImage Capture and Processing System of the Present Invention

Referring to FIGS. 18A through 18D, a first illustrative method ofhand-held digital imaging will be described using the digital imagecapture and processing system of the first illustrative embodiment,wherein its image formation and detection subsystem is operated in itssnap-shot mode of operation for a first predetermined time period (e.g.approximately 5000 milliseconds), to repeatedly attempt to read a barcode symbol within one or more digital images captured and processedduring system operation.

The flow chart shown in FIG. 18A describes the primary steps involved incarrying out the first illustrative method of hand-held digital imagingaccording to the present invention.

As shown at Block A in FIG. 18A, the system is configured by enablingthe automatic object presence detection subsystem, and initializing(i.e. configuring) the IFD subsystem (i.e. CMOS image sensing array) inthe snap-shot mode of suboperation. At this stage, this system is readyto be used as shown in FIG. 18B. Here, the user holds the hand-helddigital imager in his or her hand, near a product bearing a code symbol(or other graphical indicia) to be read, while the IR-based objectdetection field is automatically projected into the field of view (FOV)of the system for the purpose of automatically detecting objects withinthe FOV, and sending control activation signals to the system controlsubsystem upon the occurrence of such object detection events.

Then at Block B in FIG. 18A, the system control subsystem determineswhether or not the object is automatically detected in the FOV. If theobject is not detected in the FOV, then the system control subsystemcontinues to this check this condition about Block B. If the object isdetected at Block B, then the system control subsystem proceeds to BlockC and sets the operation of the Timer (0<t1<T1). Then at Block D in FIG.18A, the system's linear illumination object targeting illuminationsubsystem automatically generates and projects its linear illuminationobject targeting beam into the FOV in which detected object is present,and the user/operator manually aligns the linear illumination targetingbeam 70 with the code symbol on the object, as shown in FIG. 18C. Asindicated at Block E, and shown in FIG. 16D, the illumination subsystemthen illuminates the targeted object (while the linear targetingillumination beam 70 is momentarily ceased, i.e. switched off, duringobject illumination and image capture operations within the FOV) whilethe IFD subsystem acquires a single digital image of the detected objectin the FOV, and the image processing subsystem processes the acquireddigital image in an attempt to produce a successful decoded outputwithin about T2=500 milliseconds. At Block F, the system controlsubsystem determines whether or not image processing has produced asuccessful decoded output (e.g. read bar code symbol) within T2 (e.g.T2=500 ms). If image processing has produced a successful output withinT2, then at Block F, the system control subsystem generates symbolcharacter data and transmits the data to the host system, and thenproceeds to Block B, where the object present detection subsystemresumes its automatic object detection operations.

If at Block F in FIG. 18A, the system control subsystem determines thatimage processing has not produced a successful decoded output within T2,then the system proceeds to Block H and determines whether or not anobject is still present within the FOV. If the object has move out ofthe FOV, then the system returns to Block B, where automatic objectdetection operations resume. If, however, at Block H in FIG. 18A, thesystem control subsystem determines that the object is still presentwithin the FOV, then the system control subsystem proceeds to Block Iand determines whether or not the earlier set timer T1 has lapsed. Iftimer T1 has not elapsed, then the system returns to Block D, where thenext frame of digital image data is detected and processed in an attemptto decode a code symbol within the allowed time T2 for decoding. If atBlock I, the system control subsystem determines that timer T1 haslapsed, then the system control subsystem proceeds to Block B, whereautomatic object detection resumes.

Second Illustrative Method of Hand-Held Digital Imaging Using theDigital Image Capture and Processing System of the Present Invention

Referring to FIGS. 19A1 through 19C, a second illustrative method ofhand-held digital imaging will be described using the digital imagecapture and processing system of the first illustrative embodiment,wherein its image formation and detection subsystem is operated in itsvideo mode of operation for a first predetermined time period (e.g.approximately 5000 milliseconds), to repeatedly attempt to read a barcode symbol within one or more digital images captured during systemoperation.

The flow chart shown in FIG. 19A1 describes the primary steps involvedin carrying out the second illustrative method of hand-held digitalimaging according to the present invention.

As shown at Block A in FIG. 19A1, the system is configured by enablingthe automatic object presence detection subsystem, and initializing(i.e. configuring) the IFD subsystem (i.e. CMOS image sensing array) inthe (real or pseudo) video mode of suboperation (illustrated in FIGS. 6Band 6C, respectively). At this stage, this system is ready to be used asshown in FIG. 19B. Here, the user holds the hand-held digital imager inhis or her hand, near a product bearing a code symbol (or othergraphical indicia) to be read, while the IR-based object detection fieldis automatically projected into the field of view (FOV) of the systemand ready to automatically detect objects within the FOV, and sendcontrol activation signals to the system control subsystem upon theoccurrence of such object detection events.

Then at Block B in FIG. 19A1, the system control subsystem determineswhether or not the object is detected in the FOV. If the object is notdetected in the FOV, then the system control subsystem continues to thischeck this condition about Block B. If the object is detected at BlockB, then the system control subsystem proceeds to Block C and sets theoperation of the Timer (0<t1<T1) and starts continuous image acquisition(i.e. object illumination and imaging operations), as shown in FIG. 19C.For illustrative purposes, consider T₁=5000 milliseconds.

Then, as indicated at Block D in FIG. 19A1, the IFD subsystem detectsthe next image frame of the detected object in the FOV, and the imageprocessing subsystem processes the digital image frame in an attempt toproduce a successful decoded output (e.g. decode a bar code symbol), andallow time for decoding to be no more than the image frame acquisition(e.g. t<30 ms) within about T2<30 milliseconds.

At Block E in FIG. 19A2, the system control subsystem determines whetheror not image processing has produced a successful decoded output (e.g.read bar code symbol) within T2 (e.g. T2=30 ms). If image processing hasproduced a successful output within T2, then at Block F, the systemcontrol subsystem generates symbol character data and transmits the datato the host system, and then proceeds to Block B, where the objectpresence detection subsystem resumes its automatic object detectionoperations.

If at Block E, the system control subsystem determines that imageprocessing has not produced a successful decoded output within T2, thenthe system proceeds to Block H and determines whether or not a PDF codesymbol has been detected within the FOV. If so, then at Block I thesystem control subsystem allows more time for the image processor todecode the detected PDF code symbol. Then if the system controlsubsystem determines, at Block J, that a PDF code symbol has beendecoded at Block J, then at Block K, the image processor generatessymbol character data for the decoded PDF symbol. If, at Block J, a PDFcode symbol has not been decoded with the extra time allowed, then thesystem control subsystem proceeds to Block L and determines whether ornot the object is still in the FOV of the system. If the object hasmoved out of the FOV, then the system returns to Block B, where theobject detection subsystem resumes its automatic object detectionoperations.

If, at Block L in FIG. 19A2, the system control subsystem determinesthat the object is still present within the FOV, then the system controlsubsystem proceeds to Block M, where it determines whether or not theallowed time for the video mode (e.g. T1=5000 milliseconds) has elapsedthe time for video mode operation has lapsed. If timer T1 has elapsed,then the system control subsystem returns to Block B, where the objectdetection subsystems resumes its automatic object detection operations.If timer T1 has not elapsed at Block M, then the system controlsubsystem returns to Block D, where the IFD subsystem detects the nextimage frame, and the image processor attempts to decode process a codesymbol graphically represented in the captured image frame, allowing notmore than frame acquisition time (e.g. less than 30 milliseconds) todecode process the image.

Third Illustrative Method of Hand-Held Digital Imaging Using the DigitalImage Capture and Processing System of the Present Invention

Referring to FIGS. 20A through 20D, a third illustrative method ofhand-held digital imaging will be described using the digital imagecapture and processing system of the first illustrative embodiment andinvolving the use of its manually-actuatable trigger switch 5 andsnap-shot imaging mode of subsystem operation. wherein its imageformation and detection subsystem is operated in its snap-shot Mode ofoperation for a first predetermined time period (e.g. approximately 5000milliseconds), to repeatedly attempt to read a bar code symbol withinone or more digital images captured and processed during systemoperation.

The flow chart shown in FIG. 20A describes the primary steps involved incarrying out the third illustrative method of hand-held digital imagingaccording to the present invention.

As shown at Block A in FIG. 20A, the system is configured by enablingthe automatic object presence detection subsystem, and initializing(i.e. configuring) the IFD subsystem (i.e. CMOS image sensing array) inthe snap-shot mode of suboperation. At this stage, this system is readyto be used as shown in FIG. 20B. Here, the user holds the hand-helddigital imager in his or her hand, near a product on a countertopsurface and bearing a code symbol (or other graphical indicia) to beread.

Then at Block B in FIG. 20A, the system control subsystem determineswhether or not the trigger switch is manually actuated by the operatorto indicate that the object is present within the field of view (FOV) ofthe system, above a countertop surface. If the manual trigger switch 5is not activated/actuated, then the system control subsystem continuesto this check for this condition about Block B. If the manual triggerswitch is actuated at Block B, then the system control subsystemproceeds to Block C and sets the operation of the Timer (0<t1<T1). Forillustrative purposes, consider T₁=5000 milliseconds. Then at Block D inFIG. 20A, the system's linear illumination object targeting illuminationsubsystem automatically generates and projects its linear illuminationobject targeting beam into the FOV in which detected object is present,and the user/operator manually aligns the linear illumination targetingbeam with the code symbol on the object, as shown in FIG. 20C. Asindicated at Block E, and shown in FIG. 20D, the illumination subsystemthen illuminates the targeted object (while the linear targetingillumination beam 70 is momentarily ceased, i.e. switched off, duringobject illumination and image capture operations within the FOV) whilethe IFD subsystem acquires a single digital image of the detected objectin the FOV, and the image processing subsystem processes the acquireddigital image in an attempt to produce a successful decoded outputwithin about T2=500 milliseconds. At Block F, the system controlsubsystem determines whether or not image processing has produced asuccessful decoded output (e.g. read bar code symbol) within T2 (e.g.T2=500 ms). If image processing has produced a successful output withinT2, then at Block F, the system control subsystem generates symbolcharacter data and transmits the data to the host system, and thenproceeds to Block B, where the system control subsystem resumes waitingfor detection of the manual trigger switch actuation (i.e. triggerevent).

If at Block F in FIG. 20A, the system control subsystem determines thatimage processing has not produced a successful decoded output within T2,then the system proceeds to Block H and determines whether or not thetrigger switch 5 is still being manually actuated. If the manual triggerswitch is no longer actuated (i.e. it has been released), then thesystem returns to Block B, where detection of manual trigger switchactuation resumes. If, however, at Block H in FIG. 20A, the systemcontrol subsystem determines that the manual trigger switch is stillbeing actuated, then the system control subsystem proceeds to Block Iand determines whether or not the earlier set timer T1 has lapsed. Iftimer T1 has not elapsed, then the system returns to Block D, where thenext frame of digital image data is detected and processed in an attemptto decode a code symbol within the allowed time T2 for decoding. If atBlock I, the system control subsystem determines that timer T1 haslapsed, then the system control subsystem proceeds to Block B, wheredetection of manual trigger switch actuation resumes.

Fourth Illustrative Method of Hand-Held Digital Imaging Using theDigital Image Capture and Processing System of the Present Invention

Referring to FIGS. 21A1 through 21C, a fourth illustrative method ofhand-held digital imaging will be described using the hand-supportabledigital image capture and processing system of the first illustrativeembodiment, wherein its image formation and detection subsystem isoperated in its video mode of operation for a first predetermined timeperiod (e.g. approximately 5000 milliseconds), to repeatedly attempt toread a bar code symbol within one or more digital images captured duringsystem operation.

The flow chart shown in FIG. 21A1 describes the primary steps involvedin carrying out the second illustrative method of hand-held digitalimaging according to the present invention, involving the use of itsmanually-actuatable trigger switch 5 and video imaging mode of subsystemoperation.

As shown at Block A in FIG. 21A1, the system is configured by enablingthe automatic object presence detection subsystem, and initializing(i.e. configuring) the IFD subsystem (i.e. CMOS image sensing array) inthe (real or pseudo) video mode of suboperation (illustrated in FIGS. 6Band 6C, respectively). At this stage, this system is ready to be used asshown in FIG. 21B. Here, the user holds the hand-held digital imager inhis or her hand, near a product bearing a code symbol (or othergraphical indicia) to be read, and preparing to manually actuate thetrigger switch integrated with the hand-held housing of the digitalimager.

Then at Block B in FIG. 21A1, the system control subsystem determineswhether or not the trigger switch 5 is manually actuated. If the objectis not manually actuated at Block B, then the system control subsystemcontinues to this check this condition about Block B. If the triggerswitch is manually actuated at Block B, then the system controlsubsystem proceeds to Block C and sets the operation of the Timer(0<t1<T1) and starts continuous image acquisition (i.e. objectillumination and imaging operations), as shown in FIG. 19C. Forillustrative purposes, consider T1=5000 milliseconds.

Then, as indicated at Block D in FIG. 21A1, the IFD subsystem detectsthe next image frame of the object in the FOV, and the image processingsubsystem processes the digital image frame in an attempt to produce asuccessful decoded output (e.g. decode a bar code symbol), and allowtime for decoding to be no more than the image frame acquisition (e.g.t<30 ms) within about T2<30 milliseconds.

At Block E in FIG. 21A2, the system control subsystem determines whetheror not image processing has produced a successful decoded output (e.g.read bar code symbol) within T2 (e.g. T2=30 ms). If image processing hasproduced a successful output within T2, then at Block F, the systemcontrol subsystem generates symbol character data and transmits the datato the host system, and then proceeds to Block B, where the systemcontrol subsystem resumes its trigger switch actuation detectionoperations.

If at Block E, the system control subsystem determines that imageprocessing has not produced a successful decoded output within T2, thenthe system proceeds to Block H and determines whether or not a PDF codesymbol has been detected within the FOV. If so, then at Block I thesystem control subsystem allows more time for the image processor todecode the detected PDF code symbol. Then if the system controlsubsystem determines, at Block J, that a PDF code symbol has beendecoded at Block J, then at Block K, the image processor generatessymbol character data for the decoded PDF symbol. If, at Block J, a PDFcode symbol has not been decoded with the extra time allowed, then thesystem control subsystem proceeds to Block L and determines whether ornot the object is still within the FOV. If the object is no longer inthe FOV, then the system returns to Block B, where the system controlsubsystems resumes trigger switch actuation detection operations.

If, at Block L in FIG. 21A2, the system control subsystem determinesthat the object is still present within the FOV, then the system controlsubsystem proceeds to Block M, where it determines whether or not theallowed time for the video mode (e.g. T1=5000 milliseconds) has elapsedthe time for video mode operation has lapsed. If timer T1 has elapsed,then the system control subsystem returns to Block B, where the systemcontrol subsystem resumes its detection of trigger switch actuation. Iftimer T1 has not elapsed at Block M, then the system control subsystemreturns to Block D, where the IFD subsystem detects the next imageframe, and the image processor attempts to decode process a code symbolgraphically represented in the captured image frame, allowing not morethan frame acquisition time (e.g. less than 30 milliseconds) to decodeprocess the image.

Fifth Illustrative Method of Hand-Held Digital Imaging Using the DigitalImage Capture and Processing System of the Present Invention

Referring to FIGS. 22A through 22D, a fifth illustrative method ofhand-held digital imaging will be described using the digital imagecapture and processing system of the first illustrative embodiment andinvolving the use of its manually-actuatable trigger switch 5 andsnap-shot imaging mode of subsystem operation. wherein its imageformation and detection subsystem is operated in its snap-shot mode ofoperation for a first predetermined time period (e.g. approximately 5000milliseconds), to repeatedly attempt to read a bar code symbol withinone or more digital images captured and processed during systemoperation.

The flow chart shown in FIG. 22A describes the primary steps involved incarrying out the third illustrative method of hand-held digital imagingaccording to the present invention.

As shown at Block A in FIG. 22A, the system is configured by enablingthe automatic object presence detection subsystem, and initializing(i.e. configuring) the IFD subsystem (i.e. CMOS image sensing array) inthe snap-shot mode of suboperation. At this stage, this system is readyto be used as shown in FIG. 22B. Here, the user holds the hand-helddigital imager in his or her hand, near a product on a countertopsurface and bearing a code symbol, preparing to manually actuate themanual trigger switch. If the system control subsystem determines thatthe manual trigger switch is not activated/actuated, then the systemcontrol subsystem continues to this check for this condition about BlockB.

When the manual trigger switch 5 is actuated at Block B, then the systemcontrol subsystem proceeds to Block C and sets the operation of theTimer (0<t1<T1). For illustrative purposes, consider T1=5000milliseconds. Then at Block D in FIG. 22A, the system's linearillumination object targeting illumination subsystem automaticallygenerates and projects its linear illumination object targeting beaminto the FOV in which detected object is present, and the user/operatormanually aligns the linear illumination targeting beam with the codesymbol on the object, as shown in FIG. 22C. As indicated at Block E, andshown in FIG. 22D, the illumination subsystem then illuminates thetargeted object (while the linear targeting illumination is momentarilyceased during object illumination operations within the FOV) while theIFD subsystem acquires a single digital image of the detected object inthe FOV, and the image processing subsystem processes the acquireddigital image in an attempt to produce a successful decoded outputwithin about T2=500 milliseconds. At Block F, the system controlsubsystem determines whether or not image processing has produced asuccessful decoded output (e.g. read bar code symbol) within T2 (e.g.T2=500 milliseconds). If image processing has produced a successfuloutput within T2, then at Block F, the system control subsystemgenerates symbol character data and transmits the data to the hostsystem, and then proceeds to Block B, where the system control subsystemresumes waiting for detection of the manual trigger switch actuation(i.e. trigger event).

If at Block F in FIG. 22A, the system control subsystem determines thatimage processing has not produced a successful decoded output within T2,then the system proceeds to Block H and determines whether or not thetrigger switch is still being manually actuated (i.e. activated). If themanual trigger switch is no longer actuated (i.e. it has been released),then the system returns to Block B, where detection of manual triggerswitch actuation resumes. If, however, at Block H in FIG. 22A, thesystem control subsystem determines that the manual trigger switch isstill being actuated, then the system control subsystem returns to BlockD, where the linear target illumination beam is automatically generatedwithin the FOV of the system, and then at Block E, the illuminationsubsystem illuminates the targeted object (while the linear targetingillumination is momentarily ceased during object illumination operationswithin the FOV) while the IFD subsystem acquires a single digital imageof the detected object in the FOV, and the image processing subsystemprocesses the acquired digital image in an attempt to produce asuccessful decoded output within about T2=500 milliseconds. During thissystem mode of operation, so long as the trigger switch is manuallyactuated, the system will capture and process single digital imagesusing the Snap-Shot Mode image sensing array sub-operation.

Specification of the Second Illustrative Embodiment of the Digital ImageCapture and Processing System of Present Invention Employing SingleLinear LED Illumination Array to Illuminate the Field of View (FOV) ofthe System

Referring to FIGS. 23A through 25B, the second illustrative embodimentof the digital image capture and processing system will be described. Incontrast with the first illustrative embodiment described hereinabove,the second illustrative embodiment of the digital image capture andprocessing system 1″ hereof employs an LED-based illumination subsystemhaving a single array of LEDs 62A through 65N and a singleillumination-focusing lens element 125 embodied in the imaging windowpanel 3′. The function of this LED-based illumination subsystem is togenerated and project a single field of wide-area narrow-bandillumination within the FOV of the system, in a way which minimizes theannoyance of the operator as well as others in the vicinity thereofduring system operation. In all other respects, the second illustrativeembodiment of the system is similar to the first illustrativeembodiment. Below, the second illustrative embodiment of the system willbe described in greater detail.

In FIG. 23A, the digital image capture and processing system of thesecond illustrative embodiment 1′ is shown generating and projecting itslinear targeting illumination beam 70 into the FOV 33 of the system uponautomatic detection of an object within the FOV of the system, using itsautomatic IR-based object motion detection and analysis subsystem 20.FIG. 23B also shows the system when operated in this linear targetingmode of operation, during which a pair of substantially planarizedillumination beams are generated about the FOV optics 34 on the PC boardof the system, reflected off the FOV folding mirror 75, and ultimatelyprojected out into the central portion of the FOV as a single lineartargeting illumination beam 70 having high visibility characteristics tohuman beings.

FIG. 23C shows the spatial relationship between (i) the projected lineartarget illumination beam, and (ii) the FOV of the system of the secondillustrative embodiment. FIG. 23D shows the spatial relationship between(i) the projected linear target illumination beam, and (ii) the singlewide-area field of narrow-band illumination projected across the FOV ofthe system during object illumination and imaging operations.

As shown in FIGS. 23E through 23G, the illumination-focusing lenselements 125A and 125B lens elements, integrated within the upper edgeof the imaging window panel 3′, are shown are disposed in front of thesingle array of illumination LEDs 62A through 62N, for focusingillumination generated by the LEDs and shaping the field of illuminationto meet illumination field requirements and characteristics forparticular end-user applications.

As shown in FIG. 24, is a schematic block diagram representative of asystem design for the digital image capture and processing system 1′illustrated in FIGS. 23A through 23G, wherein the system design is showncomprising: (1) an image formation and detection (i.e. camera) subsystem21 having image formation (camera) optics 34 for producing a field ofview (FOV) upon an object to be imaged and a CMOS or like area-typeimage detection array 35 for detecting imaged light reflected off theobject during illumination operations in an image capture mode in whichat least a plurality of rows of pixels on the image detection array areenabled; (2) an LED-based illumination subsystem 22′ employing a singleLED illumination array for producing a field of narrow-band wide-areaillumination 126 within the entire FOV 33 of the image formation anddetection subsystem 21, which is reflected from the illuminated objectand transmitted through a narrow-band transmission-type optical filter40 realized within the hand-supportable and detected by the imagedetection array 35, while all other components of ambient light aresubstantially rejected; (3) an object targeting illumination subsystem31 as described hereinabove; (4) an IR-based object motion detection andanalysis subsystem 20 for producing an IR-based object detection field32 within the FOV of the image formation and detection subsystem 21; (5)an automatic light exposure measurement and illumination controlsubsystem 24 for controlling the operation of the LED-based multi-modeillumination subsystem 22; (6) an image capturing and bufferingsubsystem 25 for capturing and buffering 2-D images detected by theimage formation and detection subsystem 21: (7) a digital imageprocessing subsystem 26 for processing 2D digital images captured andbuffered by the image capturing and buffering subsystem 25 and reading1D and/or 2D bar code symbols represented therein; and (8) aninput/output subsystem 27 for outputting processed image data and thelike to an external host system or other information receiving orresponding device; and a system control subsystem 30 integrated with thesubsystems above, for controlling and/or coordinating these subsystemsduring system operation.

Specification of the Three-Tier Software Architecture of the DigitalImage Capture and Processing System of the Second IllustrativeEmbodiment of the Present Invention

As shown in FIG. 25, digital image capture and processing system of thepresent invention 1″ is provided with a three-tier software architecturecomprising multiple software modules, including: (1) the Main Taskmodule, the Secondary Task, the Area-Image Capture Task module, theLinear Targeting Beam Task module, the Application Events Managermodule, the User Commands Table module, the Command Handler module, thePlug-In Controller (Manager) and Plug-In Libraries and ConfigurationFiles, each residing within the Application layer of the softwarearchitecture; (2) the Tasks Manager module, the Events Dispatchermodule, the Input/Output Manager module, the User Commands Managermodule, the Timer Subsystem module, the Input/Output Subsystem moduleand the Memory Control Subsystem module, each residing within the SystemCore (SCORE) layer of the software architecture; and (3) the LinuxKernal module, the Linux File System module, and Device Drivers modules,each residing within the Linux Operating System (OS) layer of thesoftware architecture.

While the operating system layer of the digital image capture andprocessing system is based upon the Linux operating system, it isunderstood that other operating systems can be used (e.g. MicrosoftWindows, Apple Mac OSX, Unix, etc), and that the design preferablyprovides for independence between the main Application Software Layerand the Operating System Layer, and therefore, enables of theApplication Software Layer to be potentially transported to otherplatforms. Moreover, the system design principles of the presentinvention provides an extensibility of the system to other futureproducts with extensive usage of the common software components,decreasing development time and ensuring robustness.

In the illustrative embodiment, the above features are achieved throughthe implementation of an event-driven multi-tasking, potentiallymulti-user, Application layer running on top of the System Core softwarelayer, called SCORE. The SCORE layer is statically linked with theproduct Application software, and therefore, runs in the ApplicationLevel or layer of the system. The SCORE layer provides a set of servicesto the Application in such a way that the Application would not need toknow the details of the underlying operating system, although alloperating system APIs are, of course, available to the application aswell. The SCORE software layer provides a real-time, event-driven,OS-independent framework for the product Application to operate. Theevent-driven architecture is achieved by creating a means for detectingevents (usually, but not necessarily, when the hardware interruptsoccur) and posting the events to the Application for processing inreal-time manner. The event detection and posting is provided by theSCORE software layer. The SCORE layer also provides the productApplication with a means for starting and canceling the software tasks,which can be running concurrently, hence, the multi-tasking nature ofthe software system of the present invention.

Specification of the Third Illustrative Embodiment of the Digital ImageCapture and Processing System of the Present Invention, Employing SingleLinear LED Illumination Array for Full Field Illumination

Referring now to FIGS. 26A through 43C, a third illustrative embodimentof the digital image capture and processing system of the presentinvention 1″ will be described in detail.

In some important respects, the third illustrative embodiment of thedigital image capture and processing system 1″ is similar to the secondillustrative system embodiment 1′, namely: both systems employ a singlelinear array of LEDs to illuminate its field of view (FOV) over theworking range of the system, in a way to illuminate objects locatedwithin the working distance of the system during imaging operations,while minimizing annoyance to the operator, as well as others in thevicinity thereof during object illumination and imaging operations.

However, the third illustrative embodiment has many significantadvancements over the second illustrative embodiment, relatingparticularly to its: (i) prismatic illumination-focusing lens structure130 illustrated in FIGS. 31B through 35B; (ii) lightpipe-technology 150illustrated in FIGS. 37 through 39D; (iii) sound-pipe technology 160illustrated in FIGS. 40 through 42C; and (iv) multi-interfacecapabilities capabilities illustrated in FIGS. 43A through 43D.

As shown in FIGS. 26A through 26F, and 27A and 27B, the digital imagecapture and processing system of the third illustrative embodiment 1″comprises: an imaging housing 2 having (i) a front housing portion 2B″with a window aperture 6 and an imaging window panel 3″ installedtherein, and (ii) a rear housing portion 2A″; a single PC board basedoptical bench 8 (having optical subassemblies mounted thereon) supportedbetween the front and rear housing portions which when brought together,form an assembled unit; and a base portion 4 connected to the assembledunit by way of an pivot axle structure 130 that passes through thebottom portion of the imager housing and the base portion so that theimager housing and base portion are able to rotate relative to eachother.

As show in FIG. 27B, the light transmission aperture 60 formed in the PCboard 8 is spatially aligned within the imaging window 3″ formed in thefront housing portion. Also, its linear array of LEDs 23 are alignedwith the illumination-focusing prismatic lens structure 130 embodied orintegrated within upper edge of the imaging window 3″. The function ofillumination-focusing prismatic lens structure 130 is to focusillumination from the single linear array of LEDs 62A through 62N, anduniformly illuminate objects located anywhere within the workingdistance of the FOV of the system, while minimizing annoyance to theoperator, as well as others in the vicinity thereof during systemoperation. As shown, the host/imager interface cable 10″ passes througha port 132 formed in the rear of the rear housing portion, andinterfaces with connectors mounted on the PC board.

As shown in FIGS. 28A, 28B, 30, 31C and 31D, an optically-opaque lightray containing structure 133 is mounted to the front surface of the PCboard, about the linear array of LEDs 62A through 62N. The function ofthe optically-opaque light ray containing structure 133 is to preventtransmission of light rays from the LEDs to any surface other than therear input surface of the prismatic illumination-focusing lens panel 3″,which uniformly illuminates the entire FOV of the system over itsworking range.

As shown in FIGS. 31C and 31D, the optically-opaque light ray containingstructure 133 comprises: upper and lower side panels 133A and 133B,joined together by left and right side panels 133C and 133D to form arectangular-shaped box-like structure, without a top or bottom panel.The function of this rectangular-shaped box-like structure is tosurround the linear array of LEDs when the structure 133 is mounted tothe PC board about the LED array. As shown, upper and lower side panels133A and 133B have slanted cut-aways 133E and 133F formed in their topedge surface for receiving the rear surface 130A of the prismaticillumination-focusing lens panel 3″.

When the front and rear housing panels 2B″ and 2A″ are joined together,with the PC board 8 disposed therebetween, the prismaticillumination-focusing lens panel 3″ will sit within the slantedcut-aways 133E and 133F formed in the top surface of the side panels,and illumination rays produced from the linear array of LEDs will beeither directed through the rear surface of the prismaticillumination-focusing lens panel 3″ or absorbed by the black coloredinterior surface of the optically-opaque light ray containing structure133. In alternative embodiments, the interior surface of theoptically-opaque light ray containing structure may be coated with alight reflecting coating so as to increase the amount of light energytransmitted through the prismatic illumination-focusing lens panel, andthus increasing the light transmission efficiency of the LED-basedillumination subsystem employed in the digital image capture andprocessing system of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 31C and 31D, the optically-opaque light ray containingstructure 133 also includes a support structure 133G with bores 133H and133I, for supporting IR LED 90A and IR photodiode 90B in the centrallower portion of the structure, below the linear array of LEDs 62Athrough 62N. As shown, the support structure 133G includes a pair ofpins 133J and 133K which are used for aligning and mounting theoptically-opaque light ray containing structure 133 onto the frontsurface of the PC board 8, adjacent the upper portion of the lighttransmission aperture 60, and over which the imaging window panel 3″ isinstalled within the window aperture 6 of the front housing portion 2B″.

As shown in FIGS. 29A, 29B, 29C, and 30, the optical component supportstructure/assembly 78″ employed in the third illustrative embodimentperforms substantially the same functions as the optical componentsupport structure/assemblies 78′ and 78 employed in the otherillustrative embodiments. Specifically, the optical component support(OCS) assembly 78″ comprises a first inclined panel 77″ for supportingthe FOV folding mirror 74 above the FOV forming optics, and a secondinclined panel 76″ for supporting the second FOV folding mirror 75 abovethe light transmission aperture 60. With this arrangement, the FOVemployed in the image formation and detection subsystem, and originatingfrom optics supported on the rear side of the PC board, is folded twice,in space, and then projected through the light transmission aperture andout of the imaging window of the system. The OCS assembly 78″ alsocomprises a third support panel 80″ for supporting the parabolic lightcollection mirror segment 79 employed in the automatic exposuremeasurement and illumination control subsystem 24, so that a narrowlight collecting FOV 71 is projected out into a central portion of thewide-area FOV 33 of the image formation and detection subsystem 21 andfocuses collected light onto photo-detector 81, which is operatedindependently from the area-type image sensing array 35. The OCSassembly 78″ also comprises a fourth support structure 82″ forsupporting the pair of beam folding mirrors 85A″ and 85B″ above the pairof aperture slots 84A″ and 84B″, which in turn are disposed abovevisible LEDs 83A″ and 83B″ arranged on opposite sites of the FOV opticsso as to generate a linear visible targeting beam 70 that is projectedoff the second FOV folding 75 and out the imaging window 3″, as shown.

The System Architecture of the Third Illustrative Embodiment of theDigital Image Capture and Processing System

In FIG. 32A, the system architecture of the third illustrativeembodiment of the digital image capture and processing system 1″ isshown comprising: (1) an image formation and detection (i.e. camera)subsystem 21 having image formation (camera) optics 34 for producing afield of view (FOV) 33 upon an object to be imaged and a CMOS or likearea-type image detection array 35 for detecting imaged light of anarrow-band reflected off the object and passing through an narrowpassband optical filter 40 (rejecting ambient noise) before detection bythe image detection array during illumination operations in an imagecapture mode in which at least a plurality of rows of pixels on theimage detection array are enabled; (2) an LED-based illuminationsubsystem 22″ employing a single linear array of LEDs 23 (62A through62N) for producing a field of narrow-band wide-area illumination 126 ofsubstantially uniform intensity over the working distance of the FOV 33of the image formation and detection subsystem 21; (3) an lineartargeting illumination subsystem 31 for generating and projecting alinear (narrow-area) targeting illumination beam 70 into the centralportion of the FOV of the system, for visually targeting objects priorto imaging; (4) an IR-based object motion detection and analysissubsystem 20 for producing an IR-based object detection field 32 withinthe FOV 33 for automatically detecting objects therewithin; (5) anautomatic light exposure measurement and illumination control subsystem24 for controlling the operation (e.g. duration and intensity) of thelinear array of LEDs 23 employed in the LED-based illumination subsystem22″; (6) an image capturing and buffering subsystem 25 for capturing andbuffering 2-D images detected by the image formation and detectionsubsystem 21; (7) a digital image processing subsystem 26 for processingdigital images captured and buffered by the image capturing andbuffering subsystem 25, and reading 1D and 2D bar code symbolsgraphically represented therein; and (8) a multi-interface I/O subsystem27, with automatic interface detection and implementation capabilities28, for outputting processed image data and the like to an external hostsystem or other information receiving or responding device, supportingany one of a multiple number of interfacesxssss; and (9) a systemcontrol subsystem 30 integrated with each subsystem component andcontrolling and/or coordinating the operation thereof as required by theapplication at hand.

Implementing the System Architecture of the Third IllustrativeEmbodiment of the Digital Image Capture and Processing System

The subsystems employed within the digital image capture and processingsystem of the third illustrative embodiment are implemented withcomponents mounted on the PC board assembly shown in FIG. 32B, and otherhardware components illustrated in FIGS. 26A through 31D. In particular,a pair of visible LEDs and switches are used to implement the visibletargeting illumination beam subsystem. A 1.3 megapixel CMOS imagesensing array 35 and A/D circuitry are used to implement the area-typeimage formation and detection subsystem. A Blackfin® decode processor135, SDRAM (e.g. 32 MB) 136, and SPI Flash (e.g. 64 MB) 137 are used toimplement the digital image processing subsystem 26. An array of LEDs62A through 62N driven by current control circuitry 138, along withswitches 139, an 8-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 140 andillumination logic 141, are used to implement the LED-based illuminationsubsystem 22″. An illumination photo-detector 142 and charge amplifier143 are used in the implementation of the automatic light exposure andillumination control subsystem 24. An IR LED 144 and current controlcircuitry 145, and an IR photo-diode 146, amplifier, analog detectioncircuit 147 and a PLL circuit 148 are used to implement the automaticobject motion detection and analysis subsystem 20. Multi-interfaceswitches and detection circuitry 150, an USB interface controller (e.g.from Sc-Labs) 151, a RS-485 Driver/Receiver 152, RS-232 driver/receivercircuitry 153A, 153B, and KBW driver 154 are used to implement themulti-interface I/O subsystem 27. Power regulation and switchingcircuitry 155, and power filtering and monitoring circuitry 156, areused to implement the power supply and distribution subsystem. As shown,a user/host connector (i.e. 10 pin RJ-45) 157 is connected to variouscircuits, as shown. Also, LEDs 158 and LED drivers 159 are provided forthe light-pipe driven indication mechanism of the present invention,integrated about the trigger switch button 5A.

Specification of the Three-Tier Software Architecture of the DigitalImage Capture and Processing System of the Third Illustrative Embodimentof the Present Invention

As shown in FIG. 32C, digital image capture and processing system of thepresent invention 1″ is provided with a three-tier software architecturecomprising multiple software modules, including: (1) the Main Taskmodule, the Secondary Task, the Area-Image Capture Task module, theLinear Targeting Beam Task module, the Application Events Managermodule, the User Commands Table module, the Command Handler module, thePlug-In Controller (Manager) and Plug-In Libraries and ConfigurationFiles, each residing within the Application layer of the softwarearchitecture; (2) the Tasks Manager module, the Events Dispatchermodule, the Input/Output Manager module, the User Commands Managermodule, the Timer Subsystem module, the Input/Output Subsystem moduleand the Memory Control Subsystem module, each residing within the SystemCore (SCORE) layer of the software architecture; and (3) the LinuxKernal module, the Linux File System module, and Device Drivers modules,each residing within the Linux Operating System (OS) layer of thesoftware architecture.

While the operating system layer of the digital image capture andprocessing system is based upon the Linux operating system, it isunderstood that other operating systems can be used (e.g. MicrosoftWindows, Apple Mac OSX, Unix, etc), and that the design preferablyprovides for independence between the main Application Software Layerand the Operating System Layer, and therefore, enables of theApplication Software Layer to be potentially transported to otherplatforms. Moreover, the system design principles of the presentinvention provides an extensibility of the system to other futureproducts with extensive usage of the common software components,decreasing development time and ensuring robustness.

In the illustrative embodiment, the above features are achieved throughthe implementation of an event-driven multi-tasking, potentiallymulti-user, Application layer running on top of the System Core softwarelayer, called SCORE. The SCORE layer is statically linked with theproduct Application software, and therefore, runs in the ApplicationLevel or layer of the system. The SCORE layer provides a set of servicesto the Application in such a way that the Application would not need toknow the details of the underlying operating system, although alloperating system APIs are, of course, available to the application aswell. The SCORE software layer provides a real-time, event-driven,OS-independent framework for the product Application to operate. Theevent-driven architecture is achieved by creating a means for detectingevents (usually, but not necessarily, when the hardware interruptsoccur) and posting the events to the Application for processing inreal-time manner. The event detection and posting is provided by theSCORE software layer. The SCORE layer also provides the productApplication with a means for starting and canceling the software tasks,which can be running concurrently, hence, the multi-tasking nature ofthe software system of the present invention.

Specification of the Illumination Subsystem of the Present InventionEmploying Prismatic Illumination Focusing Lens Structure Integratedwithin the Imaging Window

Referring to FIGS. 33A through 33K2, the prismatic illumination-focusinglens structure 130 of the illustrative embodiment will now be describedin greater detail.

FIGS. 33A and 33B show the rear and front sides of the imaging window ofthe present invention 3″, respectively, which is installed within thethird illustrative embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG.33A, the prismatic illumination-focusing lens structure 130 isintegrated into a upper portion of the rear surface of the imagingwindow panel 3″, and projects out beyond the rear planar surface 130B ofthe imaging window. As shown in FIG. 33A, the prismaticillumination-focusing lens structure 130 has a cut out portion 130C forallowing the IR transmitting and receiving diodes 90A and 90B and theirsupport module 133G to fit within the cut out portion 130G and transmitand receive IR light through the imaging window 3″. As shown in FIG.33B, the front surface of the prismatic illumination-focusing lensstructure 130 is recessed below the planar surface of the imaging windowpanel 3″.

FIG. 33C1 shows several LEDs 62N, 62M (from the linear LED array)transmitting illumination through the rear surface 130A of the prismaticillumination lens component 130 of the imaging window, in a controlledmanner, so that a focused field of illumination emerging from the frontrecessed surface 130D and illuminates the FOV of the system in asubstantially uniform manner, without objectionally projecting lightrays into the eyes of consumers and/or operators who happen to bepresent at the point of sale (POS). Most light rays which emerge fromthe recessed surface section 130D project into the FOV, while a smallpercentage of the transmitted light rays strike the top wall surface 3A1formed in the rectangular opening formed about the imaging window, andreflect/scatter off the mirrored surface 160 and into the FOV accordingto the optical design of the present invention. Light rays thatilluminate objects within the FOV of the system scatter off the surfaceof illuminated objects within the FOV of the system, and are transmittedback through the imaging window panel 3″ and collected by FOV optics 34and focused onto the area-type image sensing array 35 in the imageformation and detection subsystem 21. The light transmissioncharacteristics of the planar panel portion of the imaging window panel3″ can be selected so that the cooperate with another optical filteringelement 40 located near or proximate the image detection array 35 toform an optical band-pass filter system 40 that passes only a narrowband of optical wavelengths (e.g. a narrow band optical spectrum)centered about the characteristic wavelength of the illumination beam,thereby rejecting ambient noise to a significant degree and improvingimage contrast and quality.

By virtue of the imaging window design of the present invention,particularly its integrated prismatic illumination lens, it is nowpossible to uniformly illuminate the FOV of a 2D digital imaging systemusing a single linear array of LEDs that generates and project a fieldof visible illumination into the FOV of the system, without projectinglight rays into the eyes of cashiers, sales clerks, customers and otherhumans present at the POS station where the digital imaging system ofthe illustrative embodiment can be installed.

Description of Operation of the Prismatic Illumination-Focusing LensComponent, Integrated within the Imaging Window of the Present Invention

Referring to FIGS. 33C2 through 33K2, operation of the prismaticillumination-focusing lens component, integrated within the imagingwindow of the present invention, will now be described in greater detailbelow.

FIG. 33C2 illustrates the propagation of a central light ray which isgenerated from an LED in the linear LED array 23, and passes through thecentral portion of the prismatic illumination-focusing lens component ofthe imaging window panel, and ultimately into the FOV of the system.FIG. 33D shows how a plurality of LEDs employed in the linear LED array23 are located proximately behind the prismatic illumination-focusinglens component 130, in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention. FIG. 33E graphically depicts the cross sectional dimensionsof the field of illumination that is produced from the prismaticillumination-focusing lens component and transmitted within the FOV,indicating five different regions marked at five marked distances fromthe imaging window (i.e. 50 mm, 75 mm, 100 mm, 125 mm, and 150 mm). FIG.33F graphically depicts the cross-sectional dimensions of theillumination field at the five different regions (i.e. 106 mm×64 mm, 128mm×76 mm, 152 mm×98 mm, 176 mm×104 mm, and 200 mm×118 mm) located atfive marked distances from the imaging window (i.e. 50 mm, 75 mm, 100mm, 125 mm, and 150 mm, respectively).

FIGS. 33G1 through 33K2 describe the spatial intensity profilecharacteristics achieved over the working range of the digital imagingsystem (e. from 50 mm to 150 mm from the imaging window) using theoptical design employed in a particular illustrative embodiment of thepresent invention. In this illustrative embodiment shown in FIGS. 33G1through 33K2, there is an average spatial intensity value drop off,measured from the center of the image, to its edge, and at each of thefive different illumination regions. Notably, this optical design worksvery well in POS-based digital imaging applications; however, in otherillustrative embodiments of the system, different spatial intensityprofile characteristics may be desired or required to satisfy the needsof a different classes of digital imaging applications.

Specification of the Optical Function of the PrismaticIllumination-Focusing Lens Structure within the Illumination Subsystemof the Digital Image Capture and Processing System of the ThirdIllustrative Embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 34A through 34C, the optical function of theprismatic illumination-focusing lens structure 130 is described inconnection with the illumination subsystem 22″ employed in the digitalimage capture and processing system of the third illustrative embodiment1″.

FIGS. 34A and 34B show the projection of light rays from a first singleLED in the linear LED illumination array, through the prismatic lenscomponent of the imaging window, and out into the field of view (FOV) ofthe system, with the projected light rays being maintained substantiallybeneath the plane of the light-occluding wall surface surrounding theupper edge of the imaging window of the present invention, therebysignificantly reducing the number of light rays entering the eyes ofhumans who might be present during operation of the system. FIG. 34Cshows the projection of light rays from a second single LED in thelinear LED illumination array, through the prismatic lens component ofthe imaging window, and out into the field of view (FOV) of the system,in accordance with the principles of illumination according to thepresent invention.

Specification of the Linear Visible Illumination Targeting SubsystemEmployed in the Hand-Supportable Digital Image Capture and ProcessingSystem of the Third Illustrative Embodiment of the Present Invention

FIG. 35A shows the generation and projection of the linear visibleillumination targeting beam 70 from the linear targeting illuminationsubsystem 31, in automatic response to the detection of an object withinthe field of view (FOV) of the system (e.g. by either a manual triggeroperation or automatic object detection using the automatic objectdetection subsystem, depending on the configured mode of systemoperation).

As shown in FIG. 35B, the linear visible targeting illumination beam 70is produced from the pair of spaced apart visible LEDs 83A and 83B whichare employed in the linear visible targeting illumination subsystem.These are arranged on opposite sides of the FOV forming optics 34,beneath the pair of linear aperture stops 84A and 84B, respectively. Thepair of linear beams which emerge from the linear aperture stops 84A and84B are then directed to the pair of parabolic beam shaping and focusingmirrors 85A and 85B, respectively, above the stops, to focus the beamsinto a pair of linear or planarized beams which are reflected off thefirst FOV folding mirror 75 and then projected into the central portionof the FOV where they converge into a single planarized (linearized)visible illumination targeting beam 70 that is used to target objectswhich are to be illuminated and imaged by the system.

Specification of the Image Formation and Detection Subsystem Employed inthe Hand-Supportable Digital Image Capture and Processing System of theThird Illustrative Embodiment of the Present Invention

FIGS. 36A, 36B and 36C show the folding of the FOV 33 of the imageformation and detection subsystem, its reflection off the first andsecond FOV folding mirrors 83A and 83B mounted on the optics supportstructure on the PC board assembly, and the ultimate projection of thefolded FOV out through the imaging window of the system and towards anobject to be imaged, while the parabolic light collection mirror 79collects light rays from a central portion of the FOV during objectillumination and imaging operations and focuses these light rays onto aphotodetector 79 of the automatic exposure measurement and illuminationcontrol subsystem 24.

FIGS. 36B and 36C show, in greater detail, how the parabolic lightcollection mirror 79 collects light rays from the central portion of theFOV, and focuses these collected light rays onto the photodetector 81,mounted on the rear surface of the PC board assembly 8.

Specification of the LED-Driven Optical-Waveguide Structure Used toIlluminate the Manually-Actuated Trigger Switch Integrated in theHousing of the Digital Image Capture and Processing System of the ThirdIllustrative Embodiment of the Present Invention

Referring to FIGS. 37 through 39D, it is appropriate at this juncture todescribe the LED-driven optical-waveguide structure 165 that is used toilluminate the manually-actuated trigger switch button 5A employed inthe digital image capture and processing system of the thirdillustrative embodiment.

FIG. 37 shows a centrally-disposed optically-translucent region 166 thatsurrounds an aperture 167 through which the manually-actuated triggerswitch button 5A is installed at the top portion of the hand-supportablehousing of the system of the third illustrative embodiment. In FIG. 38A,the rear side of the LED-driven optical-waveguide structure 165 isshown, while removed and in isolation from the upper edge of the PCboard assembly 8. As shown in FIGS. 38A and 38B, the LED-drivenoptical-waveguide structure 165 has upper and lower light couplingelements 168A, 168C and 168C arranged about and in optical communicationwith the optically-translucent central illumination region 166 of theoptical wave-guide structure 165. Also shown in FIGS. 38A and 38B, theLED-driven optical-waveguide structure 165 has sound-wave ports 170formed in the side edge portion of the LED-driven optical-waveguidestructure, for transmitting sound waves produced from theelectro-acoustic transducer 171 on the PC board, and conducted throughthe acoustic-waveguide structure 172 shown in FIGS. 41A through 42C, tothe sound-wave ports 170 in the side edge portion of the LED-drivenoptical-waveguide structure 165.

As shown in FIGS. 39A through 39D, the optical-waveguide structure 165is mounted about the upper edge of the PC board assembly 8 and beneaththe upper edge regions of the front and rear portions of the systemhousing, when assembled together with the PC board assembly disposedtherebetween. During system operation, a set of LEDs 180A and 180B, and180A through 180F, mounted on front and rear surfaces of the PC board,respectively, are driven to a state of illumination by LED drivercircuits 159 also mounted on the PC board 8. This arrangement results inoptical illumination produced from the LEDs, and light rays 182associated therewith conducted through the optical waveguide projections168A, 168B and 168C and into the centrally-disposedoptically-translucent region 166 surrounding the manually-actuatedtrigger switch button 5A which, in the illustrative embodiment, causesthe optically-translucent region 166 to glow, preferably a bluish color.In other embodiments, other color illuminations may be produced from thecentrally-disposed optically-translucent region 166, as the applicationmay require. In the illustrative embodiment, the top portion of thefront and rear housing portions 2B″ and 2A″ are opaque, and thus visibleillumination will only exit the optically-translucent region 166encircling the manually-actuated trigger switch button 5A. The functionof the visible illumination produced from the optically-translucentregion 166 serves to visually indicate where the trigger switch button5A is located on the housing, as well as produce an aesthetic impressionthat is pleasing to the end user and customers alike at the retail pointof sale (POS) station.

Specification of the Acoustic-Waveguide Structure Used to Couple SonicEnergy, Produced from an Electro-Transducer, to the Sound Output PortsFormed in the Housing of the Digital Image Capture and Processing Systemof the Third Illustrative Embodiment of the Present Invention

Referring to FIGS. 40 through 42B, it is appropriate at this juncture todescribe the acoustic-waveguide structure 172 that is used to conductacoustic energy signals generated from the electro-acoustic transducer171 (e.g. when a bar code is read) to the sound-wave ports 170 in theside edge portion of the LED-driven optical-waveguide structure 165.

FIG. 40 shows the PC board assembly 8 supporting on its front end: (i)the electro-acoustic transducer 171 for generating system event sounds(e.g. Good Read beeps); (ii) the linear LED array 23 (62A-62N) forgenerating a wide-area illumination field within the FOV; and (iii) thepair of IR transmitting and receiving diodes 90A and 90B for detectingobjects within the FOV using IR signal transmission and receptiontechniques.

In cutaway views of FIGS. 41A and 41B, the acoustic-waveguide structure172 of the present invention is shown installed between the PC board 8and the front housing portion 2B″, so that sonic energy produced fromthe electro-acoustic transducer 171 is efficiently conduced through theacoustic-waveguide structure 172, and transmitted through the soundports 170 formed in the optical-waveguide structure 165 described above,with minimal energy attenuation or loss.

The acoustic-waveguide structure 172 of the present invention is shownin greater detail in FIGS. 42A through 42B. As shown in FIG. 42C, theacoustic-waveguide structure 172, preferably made of a resilient rubbermaterial, comprises: an inner sound conduit 172 that extends along thecentral portion of the structure and has first and second end portions;an first interface portion 172B for interfacing with theelectro-acoustic transducer 171 and coupled to the first end portion ofthe sound conduit; and a second interface portion 172C with a recess172D for interfacing with the sound-ware ports 170 formed in theLED-driven optical-waveguide structure 165 and coupled to the second endportion of the sound conduit, so that sonic energy generated by theelectro-acoustic transducer 171 propagates down the sound conduit 172Aand exits out the second interface portion 172C. The recess 172D is snapfitted into the channel formed in the lower portion of theoptical-waveguide structure 176 shown in FIG. 38A.

By way of the acoustic-waveguide structure, sound signals generated fromthe electro-acoustic transducer 171 are efficiently conducted throughthe waveguide channel and exit out through sound ports 170 formed in theoptical-waveguide structure 165, and corresponding sound ports 170′formed in the front housing portion 2B, as shown in FIGS. 41A and 41B.

As shown in FIG. 42B, acoustic-waveguide structure 172 also includes arubber elastomeric structure 172E which extends from the secondinterface portion 172C and provides a compressible rubber gasket 172Fwhich receives the opaque trigger switch button 5A in recess 172G.During system operation, the compressible rubber gasket 172F permits thetrigger switch button 5A to engage and activate the electronic switch 5Bwhen the rigger switch button 5A is manually depressed by the systemoperator, causing the rubber gasket 172F to momentarily compress whenthe depression forced is applied to the trigger switch button 5A, anduncompress when the depression force is released.

Specification of the Multi-Interface I/O Subsystem Employed in theDigital Image Capture and Processing System of Present Invention of theThird Illustrative Embodiment

Referring now to FIGS. 43A through 43D, the multi-interface I/Osubsystem 27 of the third illustrative embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 43A, the multi-interface I/O subsystem 27 supportsmultiple user interfaces (e.g. RS-232, keyboard wedge, RS-485 and USB)using, for example, standard cables with standard male-type RJ-45connectors (providing EAS support). In the illustrative embodiment, themulti-interface I/O subsystem 27 employs software-based automaticinterface detection (i.e. as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,619,549incorporated herein by reference) which eliminates the need to readingprogramming-type bar codes by the user during communication interfaceset-up operations.

As shown in FIG. 43A, the multi-interface I/O subsystem 27 comprises: aRS-45 female connector 157 mounted on the rear surface of bottom portionof the PC board 8 and receives the standard male-type RJ-45 (e.g. RJ-4510 pin) connector associated with a flexible communication interfacecable 10″ (with EAS support), for connecting to a host device 13supporting at least one of the following communication interfaces (i)RS-232 with an AC power adapter, (ii) a keyboard wedge interface with anAC power adapter, (iii) a RS-485 interface with an AC power adapter or(iv) a USB interface with an AC adapter required for an imaging mode(driving illumination devices); a RS-232 driver module 153A, 153B,interfaced with an UART integrated within the (decode) microprocessor135 supported on the PC board 8, for supporting the RS-232 interface; akeyboard wedge circuit 154 interfaced with an UART integrated within the(decode) microprocessor 135 as well as the I/O pins of a USBmicrocontroller (e.g. from Sci-Labs Inc.) 135 connected to the decodemicroprocessor, for supporting the keyboard/wedge interface; aRS-485/IBM driver module 152, interfaced with an UART integrated withinUSB microcontroller 135, for supporting the RS-232 interface; aninterface switching module 150 connected to the signal pins of thestandard 10 pin connector 157, and the inputs of the RS-232 drivermodule 153A, 153B, the keyboard wedge circuit 154, and the RS-485/IBMdrivers 152; USB driver module 151 integrated within the USBmicrocontroller 135, via the I/F cable detect pin on the interfaceswitching circuit 150; and a power management module 155, 156, includingan 12V-5V and 12V-3.3V conversion modules, and connected to the powerpins of the interface connector 157, and the USB/PC power lines, theinterface power lines, and the decoder/illumination RS-232/RS485 powerlines aboard the PC board assembly 8.

In FIG. 43B, the multi-interface I/O subsystem of FIG. 43A is shownimplemented using discrete circuit components. Specifically, theinterface switching circuits 150 are implemented using a pair of highspeed (HS) switches, (HS Switch #1 and #2), square-wave test (wiggle)signal drivers, square-wave test (wiggle) signal monitors, and RS-232drivers, configured as shown, for detecting signal levels on theconnector cable 10″ that is connected between the interface connector157 on the PC board and the connector on the host system. As indicatedin FIG. 43B, each interface cable that is used, except the RS-232interface cable, would include a jumper wire that would jump from Pin 2(CTS) to a pin not used for the communication interface. Specifically,the keyboard wedge jumper would extend from Pin 2 to Pin 3. The USBjumper would extend from Pin 2 to Pin 4. The RS-485/IBM jumper wouldjump from Pin 2 to Pin 6. The RS-232 cable has no jumper as it uses allnon-power signal pins.

As shown in FIG. 43B, the interface switching circuit 150 on the PCboard 8 includes a circuit that will pull up the signal on the CTSwiggle) line (on Pin 2). As the decode processor is I/O limited, thewiggle line is shared with the EEPROM WP; the RS-485 detect line isshared with the UC_SPI_REQUEST; and the keyboard wedge pull updisconnect the AND of the PWR_SWITCH_N and the Decoder_Reset (which arenot needed at the same time).

The USB microcontroller (from Sci-Labs) supports software which carriesout a square-wave signal (i.e. Wiggle) test, using the driver circuitsand the interface (I/F) switching circuit 150 described above. Thissoftware-controlled automatic interface test/detection process can besummarized as follows. First, the CTS (Clear To Send) (i.e. Pin 2) isset to High and the RS-232 pull down resistor is allowed to go Low. Theline which follows the CTS during the wiggle test signal is thenchecked; if no lines follow the CTS, then the RS-232 interface isdetermined or indicated. The line that follows CTS pin is testedmultiple times. After passing the test, the interface is detected foroperation.

The software-based automatic interface test/detection process employedby the multi-interface I/O subsystem 27 will now be described in greaterdetail with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 43C.

As shown at Block A in FIG. 43C, when the “power on” button isdepressed, and the system proceeds to Block B.

As indicated at Block B in FIG. 43C, the USB microcontroller sets theinterface (I/F) switches (within the interface switching module) to thekeyboard wedge (KW) interface setting, enables the interface (I/F)power, and powers off the decode functionalities supported by the(Blackfin) decode microprocessor so that the USB microcontrolleressentially has control over the entire system until automatic interfacedetection process is completed by the USB microcontroller. In thisstate, control is passed onto and held by the USB microcontroller sothat the USB microcontroller is prepared to automatically: (i) determinewhich communication interface (CI) is supported by the host system towhich the digital imaging system is physically connected by theconnector cable; (ii) implement the detected interface within thedigital imaging system by loading the appropriate software drivers,setting configuration parameters, etc.; and (iii) thereafter, returncontrol back to the (Blackfin) decode microprocessor 135 whichimplements the multi-tier software-based computing platform underlyingthe digital image capture and processing system of the presentinvention.

As indicated at Block C in FIG. 43C, the USB microcontroller asserts theDecode Power Down and Decode Reset Commands at the same time, whileopening the keyboard wedge (KBW) and enable the configure inputs.

As indicated at Block D in FIG. 43C, the USB microcontroller sets port1.4 so that EEPROM WP=Wiggle Line/Pin is High.

As indicated at Block E in FIG. 43C, the USB microcontroller reads andtests ports: (1) P1.6 (KB Wedge); (2) P2.2 (USB); and (3) P1.5 (IBM).

As indicated at Block F in FIG. 43C, the USB microcontroller determineswhether or not any of the tested port are HIGH. If not, the USBmicrocontroller dwells in a loop until at least one of the tested portsattains a HIGH test signal level. If the USB microcontroller determinesone of the ports goes HIGH, then at Block G it stores those HIGH levelports as possible detected interfaces.

As indicated at Block H in FIG. 43C, the USB microcontroller sets Port1.4 low (i.e. EEPROM WP=Low.

As indicated at Block I in FIG. 43C, the USB microcontroller reads andtests ports that have been stored as possible communication interfaces.

As indicated at Block J in FIG. 43C, the USB microcontroller determineswhich of the tested ports have LOW levels.

In no tested port levels have gone LOW at Block J, then at Block Q theUSB microcontroller releases the Decoder Reset Line, sets interfaceswitches for the RS-232 interface and interface type, and then loadsstored RS-232 configuration parameters into memory, so as to implementthe RS-232 communication interface with the host system. At Block R, thescanner/imager is ready to run or operate.

If at Block J, any of the tested ports have gone LOW, then at Block Kthe USB microcontroller stores as possible interfaces, the remainingports which have gone LOW.

As indicated at Block L in FIG. 43C, the USB microcontroller determineswhether there is only one interface (I/F) candidate on the storedpossible interface list; and if not, then at Block S, the USBmicrocontroller repeats toggling/driving the EEPROM WP (wiggle) testline and reading the interface ports multiple times to determine whichports are likely detected interface types. Then at Block T, the USBmicrocontroller determines whether or not there is a single port pinthat tracks the EEPROM WP (wiggle) test line. If no port pins track thewiggle test line, then the USB microcontroller returns to Block D asshown in FIG. 43C. If at least port pin tracks the wiggle test line,then the USB microcontroller proceeds to Block M.

If at Block L there is only one interface (I/F) candidate on the list ofstored possible communication interfaces, the USB microcontrollertoggles the EEPROM WP (wiggle) test line multiple (N) times to verifythat the port pin for the sole interface candidate tracks the wiggletest signal.

If at Block N, the port pin for the sole interface candidate does nottrack the wiggle test signal, then the USB microcontroller returns toBlock D, as shown in FIG. 43C. If at Block N, the port pin for the soleinterface candidate does track the wiggle test signal, then at Block Othe USB microcontroller releases the Decoder Reset Line, sets analoginterface switches for the interface on the detected interface list, andthen loads interface configuration parameters into memory, so as toimplement the detected communication interface with the host system. AtBlock P, the digital imager is ready to run or operate.

The multi-interface I/O subsystem design described above has a number ofother features which makes it very useful in POS application, namely: itdoes not require electronic circuitry to be embodied in the connectorcables; it supports the option for 12 Volt to 5 Volt power conversion,and 12 Volt to 3.3 Volt power conversion; and its Keyboard Wedge (KW)interface allows for signals to pass therethrough without use of a poweradapter.

In the illustrative embodiment, the power requirements for themulti-interface I/O subsystem are as follows: satisfy specificationrequirements for the USB Mode; consume less than 500 uA during its SleepMode; consume less than 100 mA before re-numeration; disable the decodesection before USB I/F detection; consume less than 500 mA duringoperation; verify there is adapter power before switching to the higherpower, Imaging Mode; keep the KeyBoard Wedge pass through modeoperational without a/c adapter; and maintain the keyboard power fuselimit at about 250 mA for PC.

Specification of Method of Programming a Set of System ConfigurationParameters (SCPs) within the Digital Image Capture and Processing Systemof the Present Invention, During Implementation of the CommunicationInterface Detected with a Host System

Oftentimes, end-user customers (e.g. retailers) employing multipledigital imaging systems of the present invention will supportdifferent-types of host systems within their operating environment. Thisimplies that digital imaging systems of the present invention must beinterfaced to at least one host system within such diverse operatingenvironments, Also, typically, these different types of host systemswill require different communication methods (e.g. RS232, USB, KBW,etc.). Also, depending on the interface connection, oftentimes thesystem configuration parameters (SCPs) for these different host systemenvironments (e.g. supporting particular types of decode symbologies,prefixes, suffixes, data parsing, etc.) will be different within eachdigital imaging system. In general, the term SCP and SCPs as usedherein, and in the claims, are intended to cover a broad range ofparameters that control features and functions supported within anydigital imaging system according to the present invention, and suchfeatures and functions include the parameters disclosed herein as wellas those that are clearly defined and detailed in Applicants' copendingU.S. application Ser. No. 11/640,814 filed Dec. 18, 2006, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In order to eliminate the need to scan or read individual programmingcodes to change system configuration parameters required to interfacewithin an assigned host system, it is an objective of the presentinvention to provide each digital imaging system of the presentinvention with the capacity to programmably store, its system memory(e.g. EPROM), a different set of system configuration parameters (SCPs)for each supported communication interface (e.g. RS232, USB, KeyboardWedge (KBW), and IBM 46xx RS485), as illustrated in FIG. 43D. Thus, afirst set of system configuration parameters (e.g. supporting particulartypes of symbologies, prefixes, suffixes, data parsing, etc.) would beprogrammed in a first section of memory associated with a firstcommunication interface (e.g. RS-232) A second set of systemconfiguration parameters would be programmed in a second section ofmemory associated with a second communication interface (e.g. KeyboardWedge KBW). Similarly, a third set of system configuration parameterswould be programmed in a third section of memory associated with a thirdcommunication interface (e.g. USB). A fourth set of system configurationparameters would be programmed in a fourth section of memory associatedwith a fourth communication interface (e.g. IBM 46xx RS485), and so on.

In the flow chart of FIG. 44, there is described a method ofautomatically programming multiple system configuration parameterswithin the system memory of the digital image capture and processingsystem of present invention, without reading programming-type bar codes.

As indicated at Block A in FIG. 44, the first step of the methodinvolves associating (i) a given set of system configuration parameters(SCP) with (ii) a particular communication interface (CI), to createSCP/CI parameter settings in the system memory of the digital imagingsystem, which preferably will be done during its SCP/CI programmingmode. Typically, this step will be carried out by a technician or anautomated process supported with robust information about: (i) thedifferent types of communication interfaces (CI) that are supported bythe different host systems within the end-users organization orenterprise; as well as (ii) the different kinds of system configurationparameters (SCPs) that should be programmed within a particularcommunication interface (CI). Such SCP/CI programming can be carried outin a variety of different ways.

One SCP/CI programming method would be to electronically load a SCP/CIdata file into the system memory of each digital imaging system to bedeployed within an organization's enterprise typically having diversetypes of host systems, to which the digital imaging systems mustestablish a communication interface. This programming method might takeplace at the factory where the digital imaging systems are manufactured,or by a technician working at the user's enterprise before the digitalimaging systems are deployed for their end use applications.

Another SCP/CI programming method might be to first cause the digitalimaging system to enter a SCP/CI programming mode, whereupon atechnician reads programming-type bar codes from a programming manual,following a predetermined code reading sequence, e.g. before the digitalimaging system is ultimately programmed and deployable for end use.

When programming SCP/CI parameter settings in the system memory of thedigital imaging system using a PC-based software application running ona host or client system, the PC-based software application can bedesigned to provide system configuration specialists with the option ofselecting the communication interface (CI) for the set of systemconfiguration parameters that are to be associated therewithin in systemmemory. Also, upon changing system configuration parameters associatedwith a particular communication interface (i.e. changing SCP/CIparameter settings within system memory), such users can also beprovided with the option of selecting whether updated changes to a fullset of system configuration parameters (SCPs) should be applied to (i) asingle communication interface (e.g. RS-232 or USB), or (ii) allavailable communication interfaces (CIs) supported by the digitalimaging system, and thereafter programmed into the memory banks of thesystem memory of the digital imaging system. Notably, selection ofoption (ii) above would serve as a global programming change within thedigital imaging systems.

As indicated at Block B in FIG. 44, once the system memory of thedigital imaging system has been fully programmed with its SCP/CIparameter settings, using any suitable method of programming, thedigital imaging system(s) so programmed is (are) deployed within theend-user working environment of the organization or enterprise.Typically, numerous digital imaging system units will be programmed anddeployed in a batch manner within the organization.

As indicated at Block C in FIG. 44, the proper communication interface(CI) cable is connected between (i) the cable connector on the digitalimaging system, and (ii) the connection port on the designated hostsystem, to be interfaced with the digital imaging system.

At indicated at Block D in FIG. 44, after the communication cable hasbeen installed between the two systems, and the digital imaging systemstarts up, it will automatically detect the communication interfacesupported by its host computing system, using the multi-interfacedetection technique as described hereinabove, and automatically load (i)all necessary drivers to implement the detected interface supported bythe host system, as well as (ii) the SCP/CI parameter settings that havebeen pre-programmed for implementation with the communication interface(CI) that has been automatically detected and programmably implementedwithin the digital imaging system, without the need for scanningprogramming bar code symbols or the like.

As indicated at Block E in FIG. 44, whenever the end-user needs toeither (i) swap the digital imaging system unit from its currentlyselected host system, (to which it has been automatically interfaced) toanother or new host system environment within the enterprise, or (ii)replace the digital imaging system with a spare digital imaging systemmaintained in inventory (i.e. having the same set of SCP/CI parametersettings in its system memory banks as like units), the end-user onlyneeds to establish a proper connection between the digital imagingsystem and its new host system using the proper connection cable, andthe communication interface (CI) will be automatically detected andimplemented, and system configuration parameters will be automaticallyprogrammed and set within the digital imaging system so as to support anew host system environment, all without the need to scan programmingcodes.

By virtue of the present invention, a digital image capture andprocessing system once initially programmed, avoids the need readindividual programming-type codes at its end-user deployment environmentin order to change additional configuration parameters (e.g.symbologies, prefix, suffix, data parsing, etc.) for a particularcommunication interface supported by the host system environment inwhich it has been deployed. This feature of the present invention offerssignificant advantages including, for example. a reduction in cost ofownership and maintenance, with a significant improvement in convenienceand deployment flexibility within an organizational environmentemploying diverse host computing systems.

Specification of Method of Unlocking Restricted Features Embodied withinthe Digital Image Capture and Processing System of Present Invention ofthe Third Illustrative Embodiment by Reading Feature-UnlockingProgramming Bar Code Symbols

Often times, end-users of digital imaging systems do not want to payextra for digital image capture and processing capabilities that farexceed any code capture and decode processing challenge that might beforeseeably encountered within a given end-user deployment environment.Also, manufacturers and value-added retailers (VARs) of digital imagingsystems do not want to procure the necessary license fees, or incur thenecessary software and/or hardware development costs associated with theprovision of particular kinds of digital image capture and processingcapabilities unless the end-user sees value in purchasing such digitalimaging systems based on a real-world need. Examples of such kinds ofdigital image capture and processing capabilities, which customers maynot require in many end-user applications might include, for example:(i) the capacity for decoding particular types of symbologies (i.e,PDF417, Datamstrix, QR code, etc.); (ii) the capacity for performingoptical character recognition (OCR) on particular types of fonts; (iii)the capacity for performing digital image transfer to external systemsand devices; (iv) the capacity for reading documents bearing machinereadable code as well as handwriting (e.g. signatures); etc.

In order to more efficiently deliver value to end-user customers, it isan object of the present invention to provide manufacturers with a wayof and means for providing their customers with digital imaging productshaving features and functions that truly serve their needs at the timeof purchase procurement, and at less cost to the customer. Thisobjective is achieved by providing a digital imaging system as shown inFIGS. 26A through 44, wherein the manufacturer and/or VAR canpredetermined classes of features and functions that shall be programmedinto the digital imaging system as a baseline model, and after purchaseand sale to the customer, additional “extended” classes of features andfunctionalies can be purchased and activated by reading “feature classactivating” bar code symbols during a feature class extensionprogramming mode of operation supported by the digital imaging system.

Examples of predetermined classes of features and functions in the“baseline” model of the digital imaging system of FIGS. 26A though 44,would include: the capacity to capture digital image and read all knownlinear 1D bar code symbologies, and also a limited number of 2D bar codesymbols (but excluding PDF417, Datamstrix, QR code symboloigies), so toprovide a baseline class of features and functions for the digitalimaging system.

Also, an example of a first “extended” class of features and functionsmight include, for example: (i) the capacity for decoding particulartypes of symbologies (i.e PDF417, Datamstrix, and QR code); and (ii) thecapacity for performing optical character recognition (OCR) onparticular types of fonts. A second extended class of features andfunctions might include, for example: (iii) the capacity for performingdigital image transfer to external systems and devices. Also, a thirdextended class of features and functions might include, for example:(iv) the capacity for reading documents bearing machine readable code aswell as handwriting (e.g. signatures). Typically, each of these extendedclasses of feature and functionalies are locked and unaccessible toend-users unless authorized to do so after purchasing a license toaccess the extended class of features and functionalities.

Therefore, in accordance with the principle of the present invention, aunique “license key” is assigned to each extended class of features andfunctionalities, and it is stored in system memory along with the SCPsthat implement the extended class of features and functionalities. Thislicense key is required to unlock or activate the extended class offeatures and functionalities. This license key must be properly loadedinto the system memory in order for the SCPs associated with thecorresponding extended class of features and functionalities to operateproperly, after the license has been procured by the customer orend-user, as the case may be.

As will be explained below, the license key can be loaded into thedigital imaging system by way of reading a uniquely encrypted “extendedfeature class” activating bar code symbol which is based on the licensekey itself, as well as the serial # of the digital imaging system/unit.In the case of desiring to activate a number of digital imaging systemsby reading the same uniquely encrypted “extended feature class”activating bar code symbol, the single uniquely encrypted “extendedfeature class” activating bar code symbol can be generated using thelicense key and the range of serial numbers associated with a number ofdigital imaging systems/units which are to be functionally upgraded inaccordance with the principles of the present invention.

The method of unlocking restricted “extended” classes of features andfunctionalities embodied within the digital image capture and processingsystem of present invention is illustrated in the flow chart of FIG. 45.

As indicated at Block A thereof, the first step involves (i) providingthe system architecture of digital imaging system with all necessaryhardware resources, SCPs programmably stored in system memory, andsoftware resources for implementing the predefined baseline classes offeatures and functions for the digital imaging system, and (ii)assigning a unique license key that can be used to generate a uniquelyencrypted “baseline feature class” activating bar code symbol which,when read by the digital imaging system while its is operating in“feature class extension programming” mode of operation, automaticallyunlocks the baseline class of features, and programs the digital imagingsystem to operate in its baseline feature and functionalityconfiguration.

As indicated at Block B, the second step involves (ii) providing thesystem architecture of digital imaging system with all necessaryhardware resources, SCPs programmably stored in system memory, andsoftware resources for implementing the predefined “extended” classes offeatures and functions for the digital imaging system, and (ii)assigning a unique license key that can be used to generate a uniquelyencrypted “extended feature class” activating bar code symbol which,when read by the digital imaging system while its is operating in“feature class extension programming” mode of operation, automaticallyunlocks the corresponding extended class of features, and programs thedigital imaging system to operate with the corresponding extended classof features and functionalities, in addition to its baseline class offeatures and functionalities.

Notably, Steps A and B above can be performed either at the time ofmanufacturer of the digital imaging system, or during a service-upgradeat the factory or authorized service center.

As indicated at Block C, the third step involves (iii) activating suchextended features and functionalities latent within the system by doingthe following: (a) contacting the manufacturer, or its agent or servicerepresentative and procuring a license(s) for the desired extended classor classes of features and functionaries supported on the purchaseddigital image; (b) using the assigned license keys stored in systemmemory of the digital imaging systems to be feature upgraded (and theirmanufacturer-assigned serial numbers) to generate uniquely encrypted“extended feature class” activating bar code symbols corresponding tothe purchased extended class licenses or license keys; (c) using themanufacturer-assigned serial numbers on the digital imaging systems tobe feature upgraded to access and display corresponding uniquelyencrypted “extended feature class” activating bar code symbols (eitheron the display screen of computer running a Web-browser programmedconnected to a Web-based site supporting the procurement of extendedclass licenses for the digital imaging system of the customer, or by wayof printing such programming bar code symbols by some way and/or means);(iv) inducing the system to enter its “feature class extensionprogramming” mode of operation, by scanning a predetermined programmingbar code symbol, and/or generating a hardware-originated signal (e.g.depressing a switch on the unit); and (v) reading the uniquely encrypted“extended feature class” activating bar code symbols, either beingdisplayed on the display screen of the Web-enabled computer system, orprinted on paper or plastic substrate material, so as to automaticallyunlock restricted “extended” classes of features and functionalitiesembodied within the digital imaging system and to activate such latentextended features and functionalities therewithin.

By virtue of the present invention, it is now possible to economicallypurchase digital imaging systems as disclosed in FIGS. 26A through 44,supporting “baseline” classes of features and functions, and at laterdate purchase and activate “extended” classes of features and functionssupported by hardware and software resources that have been previouslyembodied within the digital imaging system at the time of initialpurchase procurement, or subsequent service upgrade. As such, thepresent invention provides a new and valuable way of protecting onesinvestment in digital imaging solutions by allowing customers topurchase an system feature and functionality upgrades, beyond basicbaseline features and functionalities, if and when they shall requiremore functionality for particular end-user deployment applications.

Specification of the Fourth Illustrative Embodiment of the Digital ImageCapture and Processing System of the Present Invention, Employing anElectro-Mechanical Optical Image Stabilization Subsystem that isIntegrated with the Image Formation and Detection Subsystem

Referring now to FIGS. 46A through 47, there is shown a digital imagecapture and processing system of present invention 1′″ which employs anintegrated electro-mechanical optical image stabilization subsystem toenable the formation and detection of crystal clear images in thepresence of environments characterized by hand jitter, camera platformvibration, and the like. In this illustrative embodiment, the FOVimaging optics 34 and/or the FOV folding mirrors 74, 75 aregyroscopically stabilized, using a real-time image stabilizationsubsystem employing multiple accelerometers and high-speed motioncorrection mechanisms.

The system shown in FIGS. 46A through 47 is similar in all respects tothe system shown in FIGS. 26A through 45, except for the followingmedications described below.

As shown in the system diagram of FIG. 47, a miniature gyroscopic sensoror accelerometer 190 is supported in the system housing near the FOVlens 34. The miniature gyroscopic sensor or accelerometer 190 can berealized using the integrated dual-axis gyro chip IDG-300 by Invensense,Inc. The function of the miniature gyroscopic sensor or accelerometer isto automatically detect any horizontal and/or vertical movement of theFOV lens 34 (and/or FOV folding mirrors 75 and 75), and generateelectrical signals representative of the detected horizontal and/orvertical movement. These electrical signals are is sent to a high-speedmicrocontroller 191 (which can be realized as part of the system controlsubsystem) that is programmed to automatically correct for such detectedmovements by generating electrical signals that a drive (i) a first setof miniature motors 192A and 192B which adjust the horizontal and/orvertical position of a first floating element 193 supporting the FOVlens 34, and (ii) a second set of miniature motors 194A and 194B whichadjust the horizontal and/or vertical position of a second floatingelement 195 supporting the FOV folding mirror 74 (and/or mirror 75), asshown. Alternatively, the miniature motors can be driven so as to adjustthe horizontal and/or vertical movement of the image detection array 35,instead of the FOV lens 34, or FOV folding mirrors 74 and 75, so as tocompensate for any inertial movement of the digital image capture andprocessing system during object illumination and imaging operations.

Also, image intensification panel can also be incorporated into theimage formation and detection subsystem immediately before the imagedetection array 35 to enable the detection of faint (i.e. low intensity)images of objects in the FOV when using low intensity illuminationlevels required in demanding environments where high intensityillumination levels are prohibited or undesired from the human safety orcomfort point of view.

Specification of Method of Reducing Stray Light Rays Produced fromLED-Based Illumination Array Employed in the Digital Image Capture andProcessing System of the Present Invention

Referring to FIGS. 48A and 48B, a method of reducing “stray light” raysproduced from an LED-based illumination array 23 during digital imagingoperations will now be described in connection with the digital imagecapture and processing system of the present invention (1′, 1″ or 1′″)shown and described herein above.

In FIGS. 48A and 48B, a countertop-supportable digital image capture andprocessing system 1′, 1″ or 1″ is shown illuminating an object accordingto the principles of the present invention. As shown, using any of thehands-free digital imaging methods illustrated in FIGS. 15A1 through17C, the FOV of the system is illuminated with light from the LEDillumination array 23 so that substantially all of the illumination raysfrom the LED illumination array are maintained below a spatially-defined“illumination ceiling” above which the field of view (FOV) of the humanvision system of the operator or consumers extends at the POS station.By maintaining substantially all illumination rays below thisillumination ceiling, glare and visual annoyance from stray light rays(originating from the digital imager) is substantially prevented orreduced at the POS station, to the benefit of operators and consumersalike.

Some Modifications which Readily Come to Mind

In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the linearillumination array 23 employed within the illumination subsystem 22″ maybe realized using solid-state light sources other than LEDs, such as,for example, visible laser diode (VLDs) taught in great detail in WIPOPublication No. WO 02/43195 A2, published on May 30, 2002, and copendingU.S. application Ser. No. 11/880,087 filed Jul. 19, 2007, assigned toMetrologic Instruments, Inc., and incorporated herein by reference inits entirety. However, when using VLD-based illumination techniques inthe digital image capture and processing system of the presentinvention, great care must be taken to eliminate or otherwisesubstantially reduce speckle-noise generated at the image detectionarray 35 when using coherent illumination source during objectillumination and imaging operations. WIPO Publication No. WO 02/43195A2, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/880,087 filed Jul. 19, 2007,supra, disclose diverse methods of and apparatus for eliminating orsubstantially reducing speckle-noise during image formation anddetection when using VLD-based illumination arrays.

Also, the linear illumination array can be realized using a combinationof both visible and invisible illumination sources as taught in greatdetail in Applicants' copending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/880,087filed Jul. 19, 2007, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.The use of such spectral mixing techniques will enable the capture ofimages of bar code labels having high contract, while using minimallevels of visible illumination.

While CMOS image detection array technology was described as being usedin the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is understoodthat in alternative embodiments, CCD-type image detection arraytechnology, as well as other kinds of image detection technology, can beused.

The digital image capture and processing system design described ingreat detail hereinabove can be readily adapted for use as an industrialor commercial fixed-position bar code reader/imager, having theinterfaces commonly used in the industrial world, such as EthernetTCP/IP for instance. By providing such digital imaging systems with anEthernet TCP/IP port, a number of useful features will be enabled, suchas, for example: multi-user access to such bar code reading systems overthe Internet; management control over multiple systems on a LAN or WANfrom a single user application; web-servicing of such digital imagingsystems; upgrading of software, including extended classes of featuresand benefits, as disclosed hereinabove; and the like.

While the illustrative embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed in connection with various types of bar code symbol readingapplications involving 1-D and 2-D bar code structures, it is understoodthat the present invention can be use to read (i.e. recognize) anymachine-readable indicia, dataform, or graphically-encoded form ofintelligence, including, but not limited to bar code symbol structures,alphanumeric character recognition strings, handwriting, and diversedataforms currently known in the art or to be developed in the future.Hereinafter, the term “code symbol” shall be deemed to include all suchinformation carrying structures and other forms of graphically-encodedintelligence.

Also, digital image capture and processing systems of the presentinvention can also be used to capture and process various kinds ofgraphical images including photos and marks printed on driver licenses,permits, credit cards, debit cards, or the like, in diverse userapplications.

It is understood that the digital image capture and processingtechnology employed in bar code symbol reading systems of theillustrative embodiments may be modified in a variety of ways which willbecome readily apparent to those skilled in the art of having thebenefit of the novel teachings disclosed herein. All such modificationsand variations of the illustrative embodiments thereof shall be deemedto be within the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined bythe Claims to Invention appended hereto.

1. A digital image capture and processing system capable of illuminatingthe entire field of view (FOV) of said digital image capture andprocessing system using a linear LED-based illumination array and havinga working distance, said digital image capture and processing systemcomprising: a housing having an imaging window with a refractive-typeillumination-focusing lens component supported within said imagingwindow; an area-type image formation and detection subsystem, disposedin said housing, and having image formation optics for projecting afield of view (FOV) through said imaging window and onto an area-typeimage detection array, for forming and detecting 2D digital images of anobject in said FOV, during object illumination and imaging operations;an illumination subsystem, disposed in said housing, having a linearLED-based illumination array, disposed immediately behind saidrefractive-type illumination-focusing lens component, for producing afield of wide-area illumination illuminating substantially the entireFOV over the working distance of said digital image capture andprocessing system, so that said illumination reflects off an objectwithin said FOV and is transmitted back through said imaging window andonto said area-type image detection array to form one or more 2D digitalimages of said object; an image capturing and buffering subsystem,disposed in said housing, for capturing and buffering 2D digital imagesdetected by said area-type image formation and detection subsystem; adigital image processing subsystem, disposed in said housing, forprocessing 2D digital images captured and buffered by said imagecapturing and buffering subsystem and reading one or more 1D and/or 2Dcode symbols graphically represented in said 2D digital images, andgenerating symbol character data representative of said read 1D and/or2D code symbols; and a system control subsystem, disposed in saidhousing, for controlling and/or coordinating one or more of saidsubsystems during object illumination and imaging operations.
 2. Thedigital image capture and processing system of claim 1, wherein saidrefractive-type illumination-focusing lens component is a prismatic-typeillumination-focusing lens component.
 3. The digital image capture andprocessing system of claim 2, wherein said prismatic-typeillumination-focusing lens component is integrated within said imagingwindow of said digital image capture and processing system.
 4. Thedigital image capture and processing system of claim 2, wherein saidimaging window has a front optical surface and a rear optical surface,and wherein said prismatic-type illumination-focusing lens component hasa front prism surface that is recessed within said front opticalsurface, and a rear prism surface that projects from said front opticalsurface and is adjacent said linear LED-based illumination array.
 5. Thedigital image capture and processing system of claim 1, which furthercomprises an automatic object detection subsystem, disposed in saidhousing, for automatically detecting the presence of the object withinsaid FOV, and generating an object detection event signal in response tothe detection of said object.
 6. The digital image capture andprocessing system of claim 1, which further comprises an objecttargeting subsystem for generating a targeting illumination beam withinsaid FOV.
 7. The digital image capture and processing system of claim 1,which further comprises an input/output subsystem, disposed in saidhousing, for outputting processed image data, including symbol characterdata, to an external host system or other information receiving orresponding device.
 8. The digital image capture and processing system ofclaim 5, which further comprises an object targeting subsystem, disposedin said housing, for generating and projecting a targeting illuminationbeam within a portion of said FOV, in response to the generation of anobject detection event signal.
 9. The digital image capture andprocessing system of claim 6, wherein said targeting illumination beamis momentarily switched off while said linear LED-based illuminationarray is producing said field of illumination within said FOV and saidarea-type image detection array is detecting an 2D digital image frameof said detected object within said FOV, during object illumination andimaging operations.
 10. The digital image capture and processing systemof claim 1, wherein said housing is capable of being supported withinthe hand of an operator.
 11. The digital image capture and processingsystem of claim 1, wherein said housing is capable of being supported ona countertop surface.
 12. The digital image capture and processingsystem of claim 1, wherein said 1D and/or 2D code symbols are selectedfrom the group of 1D and/or 2D bar code symbols, PDF symbols and datamatrix symbols.
 13. The digital image capture and processing system ofclaim 1, wherein said linear LED-based illumination array comprises anLED array having a plurality of visible LEDs.
 14. The digital imagecapture and processing system of claim 4, wherein said imaging windowhas an upper edge and a lower edge; and wherein said linear LED-basedillumination array is disposed behind said rear prism surface, locatedat said upper edge portion of said imaging window, so as to project asingle wide-area field of narrow-band illumination from said linearLED-based illumination array and throughout the entire said FOV.